If you're looking for a prime example of community spirit in the aftermath of the Mid North Coast flood disaster, look no further than Manning Point.
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Three weeks removed from the disaster, some streets are still lined with debris and damaged belongings while some residents remain displaced.
But in the words of the town's 'local legend' Brian Shoesmith, "everybody is helping each other."
Brian was in hospital during the ordeal but was kept informed by his wife Joan.
Flood water came up to the front and down the driveway of his Main Road home but it was undamaged.
He's kept a close eye on the recovery process since.
"Most people are recovering, sort of, and a lot of people aren't back in their houses yet because they have to rebuild inside," Brian said.
Australian Defence Force reservists visited the town to lend a hand while trucks have removed tonnes of debris.
"There's been that much taken away," Brian said.
There's still mattresses, silage bales and furniture along the main street but that's the least of the worries of locals. Skip bins near the entrance to the beach are overflowing with damaged goods. The beach itself is relatively clear of debris.
Brian has lived in Manning Point his entire life and hasn't witnessed flood damage like it. He estimated water rose about 20cm higher than the infamous 1978 flood.
He was also amazed by the amount of debris that has floated down the river.
Water rose above the floating pontoon, but it survived. Other wharves nearby weren't as lucky.
Some holidaymakers are in town to fish and swim at the beach, but the volume for this time of year is a shell of what it is normally.
Read next Wednesday's Times for more on the clean-up and recovery.
Manning Point Bowling Club manager Jock Martin and Weeroona Caravan Park owner Joe Pileggi have stories to tell.
The club acted as an evacuation centre at the height of the flood while the caravan park was arguably one of the hardest hit establishments across the entire coast.
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