One pet store lost dozens of animals in the storm last week.

Almost every business or home between Bourke and William Bailey streets was damaged by flooding in the precinct on Tuesday morning.

The pet store lost many small animals including 15 guinea pigs, eight rabbits and a unspecified number of pet mice and rats.

Owner Shane Leary, who has owned Pets R Us since October, said he and the staff were absolutely gutted by the deaths.

"It's just been heartbreaking for everyone concerned ... I am not sure if I can recover.

"It will really depend on the insurance," he said.

Mr Leary said the shop filled with more than 60cm of water overnight on Monday.

"When we did manage to get inside, we were able to save the remaining pet animals."

Adjacent business owner and mechanic, Greg Hodges estimated that he lost more than $100,000 in stock and equipment.

"My garage is under water."

Set among businesses along Port Stephens Street is the third generation home of Shane Griffis.

"My family has lived in this house for more than 50 years.

"In that time, we have seen between 20-30 floods but never had water come into the house," he said.

All three have queried the effectiveness of the Port Stephens Council's pumps and generators.

A council spokeswoman said that action was taken as soon as it was safe.

"The sheer volume of rain meant that it didn't matter when we turned on the pumps; flooding would always have occurred," she said.

"The pump at Kangaroo Street had been active since Tuesday morning. Initially, council was informed by Ausgrid that power to the main pump on Kangaroo Street would be restored but they informed [the] council only [on Thursday] that this would not be the case.

"Council took action to activate two more pumps on Barnier Street.

"... a fourth pump was activated on Kangaroo Street [on Friday]."

The spokeswoman said council had taken direction from emergency crews and other agencies, and had been working around the clock to provide support for residents.