Police have located a car submerged in floodwaters at North Lismore that is believed to be that of Alina Brakel, 55, who was reported missing earlier this week.
The body of a woman was found late yesterday but has not been formally identified.
The aged care nurse from Nowra was reportedly trapped in her Holden Captiva during flooding on Tuesday night near Wyrallah Road at Monaltrie, 5 kilometres south of Lismore.
Police say she left the Tullera area, 10km north of Lismore, earlier that day but failed to arrive at her destination.
A member of the public alerted police after finding the body of a woman in floodwaters near the intersection of Alexandra Parade and Tweed Street, North Lismore, shortly before 7pm yesterday.
An investigation into the woman's death is underway and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
Conditions ease, warnings remain
Residents are starting to assess the damage caused by the second major flood event to devastate the region in weeks as conditions ease in northern NSW.
But severe weather warnings for damaging winds, abnormally high tides and dangerous surf have been issued for much of the state's coastline.
Major flooding is still occurring along the Richmond River at Coraki, Bungawalbin and Woodburn.
The Richmond River peaked at Coraki on Thursday morning at 6.81 metres and is falling slowly.
At Woodburn, the river is expected to peak near 4.6m this morning.
The Wilsons River at Lismore is continuing to drop but moderate flooding is still occurring.
Moderate flooding is occurring along the Clarence River at Grafton, Ulmarra and Maclean, but the peak has passed.
SES issues wrong safe return information
The SES says an administrative error led to safe returns being wrongly issued for communities along the Richmond River yesterday afternoon.
Safe returns were announced around 4pm for Woodburn, Bungawalbin and Broadwater.
Ninety minutes later, the SES reissued evacuation orders.
SES incident controller Barry Griffiths said it was a regrettable situation.
"We're using a lot of people unfamiliar with the area and I'm one of them. And that is basically where it broke down," he said.
The SES said it had established a procedure to ensure the issue did not occur again.
Easter bookings mean residents have to relocate
Several residents evacuated from their flood-affected homes are now in emergency accommodation and will be relocated to hotels in Brisbane and the Gold Coast due to local facilities being booked out for Easter.
About 1,500 people in the Northern Rivers are staying in emergency accommodation, including hotels, recreation parks and motor homes.
The Department of Communities and Justice said many of the hotel rooms were booked months in advance for the Easter holiday.
Deputy secretary Paul Vevers said there was no choice but to look further afield.
"I am just desperately sorry that people have to move, but we can't find accommodation closer," he said.
Mr Vevers said assisting residents was the priority, but holiday trade was important too.
"It helps stimulate the economy," he said.
"But what it does mean is that quite a lot of rooms that we have been using up to now won't be available over the Easter and school holiday period."
For those needing accommodation in Brisbane, transport is being provided and $150 fuel vouchers are available for those who use their own vehicles.
Evacuation orders are still in place across the Northern Rivers and the Mid North Coast.
They remain current for low-lying areas of Coraki, Lismore CBD, Lismore Basin, parts of North, South and East Lismore, Girards Hill, New Italy, Broadwater, Wardell, Cabbage Tree Island, Bungawalbyn, Woodburn, Swan Bay and Bungawalbyn.
Orders are also in place for low-lying areas in East Bellingen and parts of North Bellingen, Southgate and Illuka, as well as low-lying properties on the Lower Macleay.
Airport remains closed
Passenger services at the Ballina Byron Airport will not resume until this weekend at the earliest.
Flights were suspended on Wednesday morning when floodwaters inundated the runway and surrounding areas.
Engineers assessed the site for any damage on Thursday.
Airport manager Julie Stewart says there will be a gradual return of lighter aircraft this weekend and heavier aircraft next week.
"We'll actually have the prop aircraft, so operators such as Rex and Fly Pelican and the Qantas Dash 8s will be retuning over this weekend," she said.
