Flood levels have now dropped enough, the SES advised on its website on Friday morning, meaning residents and business owners from Hunter, Glenelg, Swan, Port Stephens, King and Kangaroo could return to their properties.

The SES advises that residents take care when returning to their properties as there may be no water, sewerage, power, telephone or other services and you may be unable to call for help in an emergency.

Residents should also be on the lookout for vermin, snakes and spiders as they may have taken refuge in their properties.

Road closures as at 9.30am Friday, January 8:

Dunns Creek, Butterwick - Open

Ferodale Road, Medowie - Open

Clarence Town Road and Butterwick Road, Butterwick - Closed

Kirrang Drive, Medowie - Open

Bucketts Way, Twelve Mile - Open

William Bailey, Raymond Terrace - Closed

Kangaroo Street West, Raymond Terrace - Closed

King Street and Bourke Street,  Raymond Terrace - Open

Newline Road, Raymond Terrace - Closed

Hunter Street, Raymond Terrace - Closed

Beaton Avenue at Newline Road, Raymond Terrace - Closed

Hinton Road, Oysterly - Closed

Italia Road East Balickera - Open

Sturgeon Street, South Raymond Terrace - Closed

Raymond Terrace Road, Raymond Terrace - Closed

Kula Road between Karwin and Court roads, Medowie - Open

Hinton Road at McClyments Swamp, Wallalong - Closed

Seaham Road, Seaham - Closed

Seaham Road, Raymond Terrace - Closed

Medowie Road and Nelson Bay Road, Williamtown - Open

Charmichaels Creek, Seaham - Open

East Seaham Road and Italia Road, East Seaham - Open

Paterson Road and Iona Lane, Woodville - Closed

Port Stephens Street and Glenelg Street, Raymond Terrace - Open

Technology Drice, Williamtown - Open

High Street, Wallalong - Closed

Port Stephens Street and William to Newline Road, Raymond Terrace - Open

William Bailey Street near MacDonald’s Raymond Terrace - Open