NSW weather: Premier Mike Baird visits Forbes and warns of further flooding

New South Wales Premier Mike Baird has toured the flood-hit town of Forbes, in the state's central west, where he has thanked State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers for their efforts.

PHOTO: Premier Mike Baird met with residents affected by the floodwaters. (Indonesia Good Morning: Liv Casben)

The SES has already received more than 2,300 calls for help, and earlier called on people in low-lying areas to evacuate, as anyone left may be stranded for up to five days.

The river peaked at 10.67 metres at the Forbes Iron Bridge at about 9:30pm on Sunday.

The SES said the peak was higher than the floods of August 1990 in the same area, which reached 10.65 metres and saw about 132 properties with some level of water inundation.

Evacuation orders remain in place for large parts of Forbes, affecting more than 230 residential properties and some businesses.

An evacuation centre is operating at the Forbes High School.

Premier Mike Baird praised the community, as well as emergency services, for the way they have conducted themselves in recent days.

"They are determined to get through it and to help each other get through it," he said.

"I think that's one of the proudest things I see when I get around the state, is how strong the community bonds are and how, when friends, neighbours and emergency services see someone in need, they put their hand up, they role up their sleeves and they say, 'let's go and help'."

PHOTO: Katie Drady's Forbes property is one of many that has been submerged by flood waters. (Supplied: Katie Drady)

More rain on the way

However, Mr Baird said the community needed to ready itself for more flooding.

"It's clear that there is more rain coming. That's obviously bad news," he said.

"It's not clear whether there will be significant additional rising, but there certainly is a risk of more rising water."

The Government has appointed retired NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Dave Owens as Regional Recovery Coordinator.

He will be responsible for overseeing the clean-up and recovery effort from the foods.

The Government will also put in place protections to ensure emergency service volunteers involved in the flood operation are not penalised by their employers for giving up their time.