The Gold Coast and Tweed Heads communities have rallied to support those affected by flooding, but a local leader has warned against "flood tourism" with fears it could disrupt recovery efforts.
Food and other essentials have been ferried from Kennedy Drive boat ramp at Tweed Heads by locals with tinnies and jetskis to stranded residents.
Sam Cardone, who has been involved in the effort, said a donation collection point has been set up at 56-60 Currumbin Creek Road on the Gold Coast.
But she said anyone donating must keep in mind the immediate needs of those facing a massive flood clean up.
"Imagine your house has been flooded, what would you need?" Ms Cardone said.
"Please don't drop off old clothes, it's just too hard to sort though.
"[We need] non-perishable food items or cleaning items because that's what these guys will need next."
Mayor urges against 'flood tourism'
Tweed Shire Council Mayor Chris Cherry said at least 3,000 properties still do not have power, there were ongoing disruptions to phone and internet services, and some areas were still cut off by floodwaters.
"The water is slowly going down … but it's still very dangerous out there on the roads," she said.
Cr Cherry said people are naturally "curious" which is "always a problem after floods".
"We need our roads clear to be able to get our vehicles to assess our damage.
"Let the people who are actually living there get in there and clean their places up."
Currumbin Valley resident Glen told ABC Gold Coast "it would be great and respectful if people who don't live or work in Currumbin Valley please stay away".
"There's rock [and] landslides with trees down in single lane sections. Still cyclists are heading out to get their jollies," Glen said.
Locals turn out to help
While she has been "shocked" by "levels the flooding has never reached before", Cr Cherry said "there's a fantastic community spirit".
University student Mel Franks said she was "just a local who saw people who needed help" and had been helping support efforts near Chinderah since Monday night.
"This was before the surf crews or the fire crews, it was purely a local effort," Ms Franks said.
"We've been escorting people out of boats and making sure transportation was ready to get them."
Resident Paul Fisher said the manager of a Chinderah holiday park towed his stranded motorhome, along with up to 15 others, away from floodwaters.
"From all the rain we had Sunday night … [there were] electrical problems to a lot of cars, so my motorhome wouldn't turn over," he said.
Meanwhile, a Palm Beach gym that flooded was overwhelmed by community support.
"Our beautiful members, instead of complaining and being sad that they didn’t get a work-out, they came down and are cleaning it up and that is amazing," said owner Loryn Green.
