Tragic details have emerged on victims whose bodies were recovered from the devastating NSW floods this week, as a fifth death brought the toll to five.

In the latest tragedy, the body of a man believed to be in his 80s was found inside a burnt-out vehicle in the shed of a Cooplacurripa property, about 50km north-west of Taree on the NSW mid-north coast.

A concern for welfare had been raised on Wednesday after the shed was reportedly spotted alight but severe weather conditions prevented crews from getting to the property by road.

Access to the home was only possible by helicopter with officers arriving early on Friday afternoon, NSW Police said in a statement.

One of the first deaths has been revealed as a beloved 63-year-old farmer who had turned away rescuers from his flooded property so that a neighbouring family could get help first.

David Knowles, a grandfather, was reportedly found in waist-deep water on the verandah of his property of 50 years at Moto, near Taree, on Wednesday, dying from a suspected medical condition.

His shattered loved ones said he was a true “legend of the community” and “hero”.

“A man of his community. A father, an uncle, a brother, a grandfather, a son,” wrote Kayla Greenhalgh on GoFundMe.

“He was so many things to so many people. Dave unfortunately lost his life on his property, declining assistance in order to save a family further upstream. We salute his effort and praise his heart.”

Kayla said the family had lost their homes, their herd of cows, all their animals and belongings.

“This will unfortunately be their second time rebuilding their lives on the farm after the 2021 floods. ”

David Knowles (right) gave up his chance to be rescued before he died. Photo: GoFundMe

His daughter, Roxy Knowles, told 7NEWS.com.au Knowles had been happy during their last conversation at 5pm on Tuesday.

“He was alone and he was cold but he didn’t care. He was just stoked to have got the cows in,” she said.

“We’re taking comfort that he was doing what he loved, he was in a place that he loved.

“Even if he had a broken leg and that boat came back, I think he still would have sent them away to help others first.

“That was him, that was always him. He put others before himself. He had a heart of gold.”

Harrowing details also emerged on the fate of Pauline Fitzsimons, 58, who died driving through floodwaters at Dorrigo, near Coffs Harbour on Wednesday night.

Her family has spoken out, claiming their mother had been given the all-clear by a police officer to continue along her route.

They told 9 News the officer gave Fitzsimmons his mobile number to call if she faced danger, and phoned him 20 minutes later in a “hysterical state” because she was drowning.

“She told a family member a police officer told her he knew a safe way through to Coffs Harbour and was escorting her through,” son Tiernan Fitzsimons said in a statement to 9 News.

“He guided her into floodwaters and left her to her own devices.

“The idea that our mother was a reckless driver is a terrible lie.”

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner David Waddell had said a police officer was travelling in one vehicle and a woman in another when they struck water over a road near Dorrigo on Wednesday night.

The officer checked the water level, which was “ankle deep”. He told the woman he was not continuing, and advised her to be cautious and not enter floodwaters.

Half an hour later, she phoned him to say she was in trouble about 17 kilometres away, Waddell said.

She was found dead inside her 4WD on Thursday.

Pauline Fitzsimon’s family has spoken out. Photo: 7News

The intense rainfall that has battered the mid-north coast for several days moved south on Friday, but communities remain cut off and it will take some time to recover once floodwaters recede.

More than 1600 insurance claims have already been made, according to the Insurance Council of Australia.

“Insurers stand ready to serve customers through the oncoming recovery period,” chief executive Andrew Hall said.

The prime minister announced assistance grants of $180 per person or $900 for families would roll out in coming days.

Those unable to work in the hardest-hit areas will have access to disaster recovery allowance from Monday.

The SES has conducted 736 flood rescues.

But with the rate of rescue requests decreasing, volunteers are focusing on getting supplies to the 50,000 people isolated by floodwaters.

Locals in Port Macquarie took things into their own hands, boating food to people in the city’s northern suburbs.

The slow-moving trough that dumped months of rain over the mid-north coast also brought heavy falls south to the Hunter, Blue Mountains, Sydney and Southern Highlands.

Drier conditions are forecast in the flood-ridden areas but residents are not out of danger.

“There are waters still moving quite quickly through the river systems, a lot of debris around so it’s quite dangerous,” Bureau of Meteorology’s Jane Golding said.

Increased wind on Monday and Tuesday could also uproot trees and buildings from sodden soil.

The SES had 167 warnings in place on Friday afternoon, with low-lying parts of Sydney also warned to prepare for evacuations.

Police warned Sydney drivers to exercise caution in the wet after two deaths overnight — including a 95-year-old hit by a car in Liverpool.

Disaster assistance has been expanded, with 19 areas now eligible for support.

Major clean-up ahead

Dozens of communities are beginning to assess the damage of devastating and deadly flooding as the rain begins to ease.

Towns across the NSW Hunter and mid-north coast remain cut off and it will take some time to recover once floodwaters recede.

Recovery efforts are under way for communities hardest hit including Taree, Kempsey, Dungog, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour, with essential supply drops delivered by boat and helicopter.

Farmers are also beginning to take stock of their losses after cattle were washed down rivers and many properties suffered significant damage.

Volunteers are focusing on getting supplies to the 50,000 people isolated by floodwaters.

And as the rain eases, another weather problem is on its way, with strong winds expected to batter the state.

Senior meteorologist Angus Hines said a powerful windy cold front would sweep across parts of Australia in the coming days.

“As soon as one weather system leaves the state, we start lining up the next one already,” he said.

“The main threat looks to be the damaging wind gusts that this front will bring.

“Extensive damage and possibly destructive winds across almost all of NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, SA and southern Queensland all seeing some of the wind as well.”

Increased wind on Monday and Tuesday could also uproot trees and buildings from sodden soil.

“Because we’ve got these saturated soils we’re going to see loosened root systems and we will see trees come down,” NSW State Emergency Service Chief Superintendent Dallas Burnes warned.

Disaster assistance has been expanded, with 19 areas eligible for support.

-with AAP