Eight Hunter communities remain isolated by floodwater almost a week after a super storm devastated the region.
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NSW SES deputy region incident controller Andrew Galvin said water had started to recede, but it could still be more than five days before all of the isolated communities had road access again.
Gillieston Heights could be accessible within two days if floodwater continues to drop.
Maitland City Council will have to perform safety checks before the road can be opened.
“It is not an exact science,” Mr Galvin said.
“It could be up to four or five days before access is restored.”
An SES information and recovery station had been established at Gillieston Heights last week and continued to operate.
Supplies have been regularly brought in by boat and helicopter for residents.
About 50 rural properties remain isolated at Duckenfield and another 50 at Millers Forest.
There are also small pockets of residents stuck at Hinton, Phoenix Park, Nelsons Plains, Woodville and Torryburn.
These communities will have to wait longer for floodwater to subside, with some access points not expected to open until next week.
“We have been flying in and checking on isolated homesteads,” he said.
“We are confident we have found people, but if you have concerns for neighbours or those you think may be isolated, we ask that people contact the SES.”
Since Monday April 20, the NSW SES has taken 19,000 requests for assistance, which Mr Galvin said was close to the number taken during the 2007 June long-weekend storm.
In the Hunter, 6500 requests for assistance were made and 2500 remain outstanding.
The SES also had to complete 135 flood rescues in the Hunter and Mr Galvin said safety was paramount as floodwater receded.
“The waters are now receding and there is a risk people might feel overconfident,” he said.
“But this is not the situation at all because we don’t know what condition the roads are in underneath the waters.”
He reminded all residents to stay safe and stay away from any floodwater.
The SES can be contacted on 132 500.
Flooding snapshot:
It is almost a week since the East Coast low hit the Hunter, and the Maitland region is still caught in the grip of the impacts of the natural disaster.
Gillieston Heights remains isolated by floodwater and road closures have caused frequent traffic gridlocks across the region.
More than 30,000 homes in the Hunter remain without power, according to Ausgrid.
Roads closed:
Aberglasslyn: Aberglasslyn Road at Melville Ford Bridge.
Berry Park: McFarlanes Road.
Bolwarra: Lang Drive, Paterson Road at Flat Road roundabout.
Duckenfield: Eales Road.
East Maitland: Metford Road at Raymond Terrace Road and Maize Street intersection, Raymond Terrace Road at Metford Road and Chisholm Road intersection.
Gillieston Heights: Cessnock Road, near Vintage Estate.
Largs: Paterson Road at Woodville Bridge, Phoenix Park Road, McKimms Road, Flat Road at Glenarvon Road.
Louth Park: Louth Park Road, Trappaud Road near Melbourne Street.
Maitland: Allan Walsh Drive, Fry Street, Bent Street, Ken Tubman Drive at Allan Walsh Drive, Maitland Park, New England Highway between Maitland Hospital and Melbourne Street in East Maitland.
Maitland Vale: Maitland Vale Road between Tocal Road and Luskintyre Road.
Morpeth: Pheonix Park Road at Morpeth Bridge.
Telarah: Bungaree Street, Mt Dee Road.
Testers Hollow: Cessnock Road.
Thornton: Government Road, Raymond Terrace Road between Haussman Drive and Metford Road.
Woodberry: Duckenfield Avenue, Woodberry Road from Nilands Lane, Lawson Avenue.
Bridge closures:
Aberglasslyn: Melville Ford Bridge.
Louth Park: Yarramalong Bridge.
Whole suburbs isolated:
Gillieston Heights.
Suburbs without power:
Gillieston Heights, Maitland, Telarah, Heddon Greta, Woodville, Wallalong, Hinton, Thornton, Woodberry, Windella.
