Widespread flooding forced thousands of people to be evacuated from homes and caravan parks. Yamba, Maclean, Bellingen and Smithtown were completely isolated. Lismore, Grafton and surrounding regions were also badly affected.

Caravanners at Byron Bay and Coffs Harbour felt the full force of strong winds and unseasonal torrential rain which sent water cascading over the main Pacific Highway.

The damages bill is expected to run into tens of millions of dollars.

At Lismore, a row broke out after claims that people at a city centre caravan park were not warned of impending floods which swamped the town.

Many caravans and  cabins at the 75-site Lismore Tourist Caravan Park were deluged and caravanners were forced to wade to safety through knee-deep floodwater.

Red Cross workers provided lunch and clean clothing while some travellers hitched up their sodden caravans and moved out of the city.

There were reports that some long-term residents at the park had to be rescued by emergency services and were left homeless after allegedly receiving no warning of the impending flood.

The park's management claimed it was never told of the need to evacuate, a claim strongly denied by the State Emergency Service.

Meanwhile, the Brisbane Holiday Village tourist and caravan park at Eight Mile Plains reported a high demand for accommodation for storm victims and relief workers flocking to the area to help with repairs.

Manager of the Top Tourist park Geoff Illich said: "We have been overwhelmed at the demand for relief accommodation as everyone cleans up after the recent storms.

"To help the local community, we are offering discounts off our standard nightly rates on our holiday and corporate cabins."

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