'Disheartening' flood risk warning for NSW

Flood-ravaged local communities have been urged to prepare for more severe weather rolling towards inland NSW, again heightening flood risks across regional towns.

While most of the state basked in clear skies on Wednesday, the Bureau of Meteorology warns NSW is in for another drenching by the week's end as thunderstorms return.

Western and southern parts of the state will see showers and thunderstorms slowly move in from Friday.

"By the time we get to Sunday, we're looking at widespread rainfall (through most of the state), and we would be looking at rivers possibly having renewed rises," meteorologist Helen Reid told AAP.

As more rain falls on saturated areas, the Bureau expects already full rivers to burst their banks.

"Because the landscape is so saturated, just the regular thunderstorms could trigger some flash flooding," Ms Reid said.

"Our flood teams are very exhausted, but there's another busy week ahead." 

There is some positive news for the central west town of Bathurst as gas supply returns.

Bathurst, Lithgow, Oberon and Wallerawang lost supply after an APA pipeline running under the Macquarie River was damaged last week.

Residents in Bathurst have had their gas restored, with the exception of properties crews had difficulty accessing, distributor Jemena said on Wednesday.

Lithgow Hospital has had supply restored and temporary solutions are being installed for residents there and in Oberon and Wallerawang beginning next week.

A permanent fix is not expected to be in place until early December. 

Many towns continue to deal with high waters, with supplies being delivered to isolated communities in Walgett, Collarenebri and Lightning Ridge in the west.

"I understand this may be disheartening for many to hear, as after many months of flooding the thought of water levels going back up is hard to imagine," NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Dean Storey said Wednesday.

He said it was important those who might be affected be prepared.

"This time is more important than ever as we see areas reach flood levels they haven't seen in almost 70 years."

Damage assessments are continuing in Forbes in the central west, after severe flooding of the Lachlan River saw multiple parts of the town go under last week.

The SES had some 193 calls for help in the last 24 hours, including requests for food, medical supplies and sandbags. 

It comes as the Help Economy Report released by NRMA Insurance on Wednesday found as many as 7.4 million Australians had either been affected or knew someone who had, by a natural disaster or severe weather event this year.

Floods accounted for 40 per cent of all severe weather events or natural disasters faced by Australians in the past six months, the report found.

Ms Reid said the severe weather was not likely to slow down anytime soon.

"We are looking at it not being much in the way of a drying trend for this season," he said.

"This summer we're looking at it still being above average."