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Residents in parts of Camden allowed to return after major flooding, evacuation orders remain

Houses and shops have been flooded in Camden.

More rain is forecast for Sydney today as residents in parts of Camden are allowed back to their homes after major flooding. 

There are about nine evacuation orders and a number of warnings still active across New South Wales.

Minor flooding is continuing along the Hawkesbury Nepean river, affecting residents in North Richmond, Sackville, Penrith and Windsor.

Floodwater is still isolating properties on Bents Basin Road in Wallacia, Silverdale and Warragamba.

NSW State Emergency Service (SES) spokeswoman Sally Perry is urging people returning to Camden to be cautious.

"There are still areas of Camden that are inundated but [in] the areas where there are the return safely notifications, the floodwaters have receded enough that we can allow people to return with caution, ensuring that they're checking out whether there are essential services still being impacted in that area," she said.

But Ms Perry said shower activity in Sydney is not expected to result in renewed river level rises.

"It may be heavy at times but unlikely to reach near the intensity and the volume of the rain that was received on Thursday," she said.

"Because the catchments are already very full, it means that river and creek systems are very responsive to even small amounts of rain and so we could see areas that have been impacted have inundation." 

For close to three years, the SES have "rolled from one storm, flood, severe weather event into the next". (Facebook: Penrith NSW State Emergency Service)

The Windsor Bridge, North Richmond Bridge and Yarramundi Bridge remain closed, and Water NSW said Warragamba Dam could spill for about two weeks, causing issues for nearby residents with catchments already full. 

In the past 24 hours, the SES has responded to nine flood rescues with peaks in some rivers still expected.

"We are expecting a peak in the Windsor area this morning at a moderate level and then, hopefully, we can get people back into those homes as soon as we possibly can after that," SES Flood Rescue Operator Adam Jones said.

"We've still seen flood rescues come through … it's so important that members of the community make sure that if you're going to drive around these areas, that you're only doing so if it's an essential trip."

Mr Ikin's body was retrieved from his submerged van yesterday. (ABC News: Jake Lapham)

A 68-year-old man whose body was found in floodwaters in Sydney's south-west yesterday is being remembered by friends as a "gentle soul".

Dog breeder Tony Ikin was on his way to the Royal Easter Show when his van became caught in floodwaters at Cobbitty.

The father-of-two was reported missing at about 7:55am on Friday and the white van he was driving was found shortly after.

Friend and veterinarian Robert Zammit said the community was stunned by the loss.

"It was just so quick. Honestly, it was very sombre around the showroom today because we all knew him in the dog section," he said.

"Everyone not just knew him, we all had good memories."

Residents had to be rescued in Camden at the peak of the floods.  (AAP: Dan Lewins)

Earlier today, Assistant Commissioner Daniel Austin praised the dedication of the volunteer service who have been working hard since the 2019 bushfire season.

"We've rolled almost from one storm, flood, severe weather event into the next," Mr Austin said.

"So, we've been going now for the best part of two-and-a-half years and we know that people are fatigued.

"It's a huge team effort, it relies on the members of the community supporting members of the community. So you know, be thankful, be grateful."

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