The key message from NSW Premier Chris Minns at today's media briefing was that this event is not over because Alfred has been downgraded to a low-pressure system and is now referred to as ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

"It's not over for the following reasons, the rivers are full, the rain is continuing and expected to keep falling in the days ahead, and wind conditions are very high and extreme, particularly on the coast, particularly in the Byron Shire right up to the Queensland border. So for those three reasons, it's crucially important that the public not dismiss this weather event, as something that's already passed.

"It really doesn't matter to us whether it's been downgraded from a tropical cyclone to a weather event, or whether it's still a tropical cyclone, the effect on the Northern Rivers communities and lower down into the Coffs area is still the same for thousands and thousands of families. That's a really important point. This can't be just trivialised or put to one side. The next 24 hours will be crucially important as we look to see what the weather event will do to these communities."

With hundreds of Lismore CBD business owners on edge waiting to see if the levee wall will be overtopped, the Premier said, "Look, it's close. I mean, in all candour, the latest models are, it's right on 10.8 which could be just under, just over, at various parts. We hope that it's under that.

(Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin getting a leg-up to see over the levee wall at the Browns Creek Pump Station by Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dibb earlier today.)

"We said from the very beginning, right from the beginning of Cyclone Alfred that we would prepare for the worst and we would hope for the best. And I think if you come through town, for those that aren't in town and watching this on television, there's an enormous amount of resources in town. We're ready. We're ready for the possibility of it overflowing. Obviously, we hope that it doesn't, but it certainly could, and if it does, it's likely to be today."

At 2:10pm, the Wilsons River height in Lismore was 9.27 and steady. Other points in the catchment were Goolmanagar Creek 4.07m and steady, Terania Creek at The Channon 5.29m and rising and Coopers Creek at Corndale 8.05m and rising.

Earlier today, Rod and Sharon Latimer, the owners of Little Polli & the Blackbird on Magellan Street, were sandbagging just in case the levee was overtopped. Everything in the shop had been removed but if they could the shop from floodwaters then it was worth the effort.

NSW SES Acting Superintendent Stuart Fisher said there had been 29 flood rescues across the Northern Rivers over the last two or three days, which included 18 overnight rescues, one involved a man at Rock Valley (18km northwest of Lismore).

"The majority of them were very minor to be out there. But we did have one in a place called Rock Valley where a four-wheel drive tried to cross the river system, and got swept off the bridge into the water. New South Wales Police rescue and New South SES responded, and thankfully, that gentleman was saved.

"But again, as I talked earlier, the complacency is starting to slip in there. We do not want that. People are out having a look at what's happening with the flooded waters. They do not know that it only takes about 30 centimeters of water, if that, to flush you off a bridge or into the river. So again, just be very, very careful. "

Acting Supt Fisher also referred to the man washed away in flood waters at Megan, northeast of Dorrigo, near Coffs Harbour.

"Do not, and we say it time and time and time again, do not drive through flooded waters. You may have a four-wheel drive. You may think you can go through them, but as it showed last night, you can't."

Earlier today, the Lismore App observed an SES boat crew making its way to isolated North Lismore people that did not heed the evacuation orders.

"All our crews are out. We've got community liaison officers out all over up and down the coast. Last night, we went to one gentleman that needed some assistance, and out of our own kitchen took some food to get him through. And then we've referred him on to community services. We'll monitor him, and we'll monitor everybody else, and work with the Evacuation Team and the Emergency Operations Centre. So we are looking at all that, and we are managing."

On the lips of the Lismore and Northern Rivers residents who were asked to evacuate on Thursday, is when can they move home? Especially, for thos who ended staying in evacuation accommodation, such as SCU which is currently housing 230 people.

Premier Minns said, I can understand if you were subject to an evacuation order and you're staying with family and friends or you're at an evac center, you're probably thinking to yourself, well, when can I go back? I can assure you, as soon as the SES can lift the order, they will.

"There's been several areas in Port Macquarie that are no longer subject to evacuation orders. The SES monitor it very closely with the BOM. They do it in real time, they don't muck around. We recognise, the government and emergency services recognise, that we want to get families back into their community as soon as possible. But safety is the number one issue here, and with the Wilson either steady or slightly rising, now is not the time to be returning to your house in the Lismore area.

"So there's very clear, very precise evacuation notices through the SES and on the Hazards Near Me app. We're asking people to stick by that."

For those who need medical or mental advice:

• For 24/7 medical advice call North Coast Health Connect on 1800 198 888
• For 24/7 mental health support call Medicare Mental Health on 1800 595 212