Photos that show devastation caused by floods in NSW and Queensland as Victoria warned

More devastating damage has occurred across NSW, while rain continues to drench Queensland and parts of Victoria brace for impact. WARNING: Graphic

Thousands of people in NSW and Queensland remain on high alert as rain continues to drench the states.

The Insurance Council of Australia officially declared a catastrophe for parts of NSW as thousands of claims have been filed.

The worst affected reasons are mid-north coast towns of Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Laurieton and Taree, and western Sydney in areas around Penrith and the Hawkesbury-Nepean valley with suburbs including Windsor and Emu Plains among many more.

A major arterial road in the Blue Mountains – Bells Line of Road – has been closed for the “foreseeable future” after a landslide put it at risk of “collapsing”.

The Council is still monitoring South East Queensland from Birdsville to the Gold Coast which has also been hit by treacherous floods.

ICA CEO Andrew Hall said: “This remains an active natural disaster and it will take some time to gain a clearer picture of the damage. Insurers expect a large number of claims will be lodged in coming days as property owners begin returning to homes and businesses.”

A severe weather warning is in place for parts of Victoria as the system moves from south NSW.

Heavy rainfall and strong winds were expected to hit the Gippsland and Otway coastal areas Wednesday, with a flood watch also in place.

While thousands have been evacuated, others have captured footage of swarms of spiders trying to escape the rising flood waters.

Many are now on alert as livestock are affected, and other deadly animals look for shelter.

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Flood affected areas are seen from a helicopter in the Windsor and Pitt Town areas along the Hawkesbury River near Sydney. Picture: AAP

Submerged houses are seen from a helicopter in flood affected areas in the Windsor and Pitt Town areas along the Hawkesbury River near Sydney. Picture: AAP

The roof of a submerged structure is seen from a helicopter in flood affected areas in the Windsor and Pitt Town areas along the Hawkesbury River near Sydney. Picture: AAP

A power pole surrounded by floodwater is seen from a helicopter in flood affected areas in the Windsor and Pitt Town areas along the Hawkesbury River. Picture: AAP

Caravans and cabins are seen submerged under floodwater at the Dargle Water Ski Resort in Sackville North, NSW. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

An Aerial view of Penrith along the Nepean River in the Western Sydney region. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

An Aerial view of North Richmond in the Western Sydney region. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

An Aerial view of Windsor in the Western Sydney region. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

An Aerial view of Warragamba Dam overflowing in the Western Sydney region. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

An Aerial view of the central township in Windsor. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

An Aerial view of Penrith along the Nepean River as water levels are at a high due to extreme floods. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Prime Minister Scott Morrison inspected damage to flood affected areas in Sydney via helicopter. Picture: AAP

Flood affected areas are seen from a helicopter in the Windsor area near Sydney. Picture: AAP

Flood affected areas are seen from a helicopter in the Windsor area in Sydney, Australia. Picture: Getty

Flood affected areas are seen from a helicopter in the Windsor and Pitt Town areas along the Hawkesbury River near Sydney. Picture: AAP

Flood affected areas are seen from a helicopter in the Windsor and Pitt Town areas along the Hawkesbury River near Sydney. Picture: AAP

Amy Summer from Elanora takes a quick paddle to survey rising flood water on Nineteenth Ave lake as torrential rain falls over Queensland. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

Resident Wayne Smith poses a for photograph with the Dargle Water Ski Resort submerged under floodwater behind him at Sackville North, NSW. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

A clothesline and house are seen partially submerged under floodwater at Sackville North, NSW. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

Beaudesert Boonah Road at Coulson is blocked after quickly rising flood waters broke the banks of Teviot Brook due to heavy rain fall. NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

Coulson resident Bernadette Lions struggles to sweep out mud and water around her house after quickly rising flood waters broke the banks of Teviot Brook due to heavy rain fall which fell over the region. NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

Alicia Pitt and son Travis Pitt are evacuated by a rescue boat after getting trapped by floodwaters on the Hawkesbury River, as the state of New South Wales experiences widespread flooding and severe weather, in western Sydney. Picture: Reuters

A State Emergency Service rescue crew evacuates a person by boat after rising floodwaters trapped residents, as the state of New South Wales experiences widespread flooding and severe weather, in western Sydney. Picture: Reuters

Major flooding in Windsor, Sydney, as the SES crews work with Police and RFS Fire Services to deliver emergency medical and food supplies. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Major flooding in Windsor, Sydney where the bridge has been closed, homes are completely destroyed and seen underwater. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

A pair of black swans make a back yard visit on Nineteenth Ave Lake Elanora after rising flood water breaks the banks of the Lake due to torrential rainfall on the Gold Coast. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

A Gold Coast City Council BBQ facility on Casuarina Drive Elanora disappears under quickly rising flood waters broke the bank of Lakewoods Lake due to heavy rainfall which fell over the Gold Coast. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

Debris floats in the floodwaters of the Hawkesbury River in Sackville, NSW. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Debris floats in the floodwaters of the Hawkesbury River in Sackville, NSW. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Major flooding in Windsor, Sydney where the bridge has been closed. The SES Crew, Police and Fire Rescue Patrols are working together to load urgent medical supplies, food and other goods on-board the SES boats to be transported across to communities. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Major flooding in Richmond, Sydney where the bridge has been closed in Sydney, Australia. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Major flooding in Windsor, Sydney where the bridge has been closed, homes are completely destroyed and seen underwater as the SES crews deliver emergency medical and food supplies. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

A family is rescued from floodwaters as the water levels threatened their Upper Colo home. The dramatic rescue continued after the rescue vessel capsized in the floodwaters of the Hawkesbury River throwing the family into the water. The family was brought to safety in Sackville, NSW. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

A family is rescued from floodwaters as the water levels threatened their Upper Colo home. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

A family is rescued from floodwaters as the water levels threatened their Upper Colo home. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

A family is rescued from floodwaters as the water levels threatened their Upper Colo home. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Nepean River from the balcony of homes in Bellevue Road Regentville NSW western Sydney affected by floods. Picture Darren Leigh Roberts

Homes in Bellevue Road Regentville NSW western Sydney affected by floods. Dozens of fish washed inland from the floods. Picture Darren Leigh Roberts

Melanie Williams from Macksville in NSW filmed spiders crawling up her garage door, seeking shelter from the floodwaters.

Matt Lovenfosse snapped thousands of spiders at Kinchela Creek, NSW trying to beat the floodwaters as well.

Spiders at Kinchela Creek escaping floodwaters. Picture: Matt Lovenfosse

SES crew motor up a flooded Williams River, near Raymond Terrace, to check on stranded stock in NSW. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Peter Lorimer.

An emu is stranded in a flooded paddock near Williamtown near Williamtown, NSW. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Peter Lorimer.

A land slip on Shortland Esplanade in Newcastle City has left this house in a precarious position on the water front. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Peter Lorimer.

Residents row past a home that has been completely covered by floodwaters in the suburb of Vineyard, near Windsor. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Windsor resident Kelly Miller shows concern as flood waters reach her workplace, a 100 year old property near the Windsor CBD. Picture: Getty

People look on as flood water spills onto the streets from The Hawkesbury River in Windsor. Picture: Getty

Sydney continues to be drenched in heavy rains causing flooding in local areas and the Warragamba Dam to overflow, sending millions of litres of water down the Nepean River to low lying areas like Emu Plains. Looking over the Nepean Bridge towards Warragamba Dam. Picture: Toby Zerna

NSW Rural Fire Service crews assisting NSW SES in the Taree area. Picture: NSW RFS

The banks of the Parramatta River overflowing at the Charles St weir and ferry wharf, at Parramatta in Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

Aerial images over Sancrox near Port Macquarie as flood waters rise. Picture: Luke Bullus

Homes along Bellevue Rd in Regentville under threat from rising flood waters. Picture: Toby Zerna

Dave Soury with his dog Scout at North Haven south of Port Macquarie. Picture: Nathan Edwards

Kellee Wilson and husband Steven stand in the rising water that has flooded the lower level of their Bellevue Rd home in Regentville. Picture: Toby Zerna

Telegraph Point north of Port Macquarie inundated with flood waters. Picture: Nathan Edwards

A cow running down the street in the centre of Taree, NSW. Picture: Supplied

Port Macquarie's Hastings River Drive inundated with flood waters. Picture: Nathan Edwards

Cattle in flood waters in the Manning region, NSW. Picture: Supplied

Miss Nellie's Cafe, Kendall, NSW, hit by recent flooding. Picture: Facebook

Flood water in Taree, NSW. Picture: NSW Ambulance/Twitter

A house swept away in floodwaters in West Taree, NSW. Picture: Robert Cribb / Severe Weather Australia

Telegraph Point Sports and Recreation Club patrons in NSW continue to drink despite the floodwaters. Picture: Kellie Morley's Facebook Page

Wet weather continues to impact the Gold Coast. Ollie the Labrador wonders where his park has gone at Pacific Pines. Picture Glenn Hampson

Wet weather continues to impact the Gold Coast. Nowhere to go at Birds Rd Maudsland. Picture Glenn Hampson

Wet weather continues to impact the Gold Coast. The floodwaters cascade from Flooded Gum Park at Pacific Pines. Picture Glenn Hampson

Somerset Drive Mudgeeraba on the Gold Coast is closed to all traffic after it was inundated with flood water after heavy rainfall fell over the City. NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

A footpath on Somerset Drive Mudgeeraba on the Gold Coast is closed to all foot traffic after it was inundated with flood water after heavy rainfall fell over the City. NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

A landslide at Kirra Hill Coolangatta has caused a lane of traffic to be blocked when debris crashed through fencing and onto the road way. NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

A landslide at Kirra Hill Coolangatta has caused a lane of traffic to be blocked when debris crashed through fencing and onto the road way. NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

Large amounts of drift wood and debris is now littering Gold Coast beaches after flooding from torrential rain has caused creeks and rivers to break their banks. NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

Somerset Drive Mudgeeraba on the Gold Coast is closed to all traffic after it was inundated with flood water after heavy rainfall fell over the City. NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

Queensland uniformed Police block the road on Tallebudgera Connection Road Tallebudgera at the back of Currumbin Creek after torrential rain over night caused the creek to break its banks. NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

Drivers ignore rising flood water across Tallebudgera Connection Road, Tallebudgera, at the back of Currumbin Creek after torrential rain over night caused the creek to break its banks. NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

A cow seeks high dry ground at Robina Drive Round about Carrara on the Gold Coast after it was swamped by flood water from torrential rain fell which on the city overnight. NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

A small landslip on Currumbin Creek Road Currumbin Valley after torrential rain over night causing the creek to break its banks. NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

Gold Coast City Council rescue truck patrols Somerset Drive at Mudgeeraba which was closed by Gold Coast City Council Officers due to flooding which fully submerged the road overnight. NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

Gold Coast flood waters and rain. Clagiraba Road, Clagiraba. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

A stranded car in Boxer street. Boxer street is lifted and not drivable because of the wet weather. Picture, John Gass

The cause way at Maudsland Drive Oxenford on the Gold Coast is totally blocked to all traffic due to high rising flood waters which have caused severe damage to fences and the road surface overnight. NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

Cars during heavy down pores of rain on the Southern end of the Gold Coast. Pic Mike Batterham

James and Megan Dunn from Tugun check out Currumbin Creek Currumbin Valley Rock Pools after it flooded due to torrential rain over night causing the creek to break its banks and cause damage to Gold Coast Council BBQ facilities and tables when large logs and debris collided with it. NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

A proposed new housing estate at Carrara on the Robina Parkway is flooded after heavy torrential rain fell on the city overnight causing localised flash flooding. NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

Siganto Dve at Oxenford, Gold Coast, closed due to floodwaters. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Siganto Dve at Oxenford, Gold Coast, was closed due to floodwaters. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Gold Coast Council officers assist locals with free sand bags at a designated sand bagging station at Bilinga on the southern end of the Gold Coast after heavy torrential rain fell on the city overnight causing localised flooding. NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

Rising water on the Gold Coast. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Flooded Carrara sport fields on the Gold Coast resembles a lake. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Vehicles slowly make their way through floodwaters during a heavy downpour on the southern end of the Gold Coast. Picture: Mike Batterham

Traffic on Siganto Dve at Oxenford, Gold Coast, was closed due to floodwaters. But some didn’t see trouble coming … Picture: Glenn Hampson