ABC News: Bruce Mackenzie
)Small businesses owners across the New South Wales Mid North Coast have begun to clean up after floodwaters inundated properties at the weekend.
Short Street in Port Macquarie was underwater days ago, and now business owners face the task of clearing mud and debris while trying to save their possessions.
Tax agent Mike Nalder said he had months of work ahead of him after many of his clients' paper files were impacted by floodwaters.
ABC News: Hannah Palmer
)"We have to not only restore all our files but our building."
Mr Nalder said, fortunately, their main computer system was up and running from home and restored all their data dating back to 2001.
"So we are lucky in that," he said.
"The greatest thing is that it happened at this time of year and not tax time — we would be dead if this happened in August."
ABC News: Hannah Palmer
)For seafood suppliers Veronica and Scott Trotter, the devastation comes right before one of their busiest periods — Easter.
"Even if we were able to get open, the seas are just so bad at the moment that we're not even sure if local fishermen would be able to go out to catch product.
ABC Mid North Coast: Kerrin Thomas
)"And a lot of our local fishermen have suffered their own losses and damage."
Ms Trotter said everyone had been coming together for the clean-up.
"We have local restaurant owners and staff who are all here helping to get the clean-up done."
ABC Mid North Coast: Kerrin Thomas
)Getting involved with the clean-up was a no-brainer for Port Macquarie father and son restaurant owners, Pete and Graham Cutcliffe.
"Two of our key suppliers are here on Short Street, and they have both [been] devastated by the floodwaters," Mr Cutcliffe said.
ABC News: Hannah Palmer
)"We can't operate without these other small businesses, so we can just do what we can. If it means fundraising, we'll fundraise. If it means cleaning, we'll keep cleaning."
Tobacconist, Jeff Kelsey, has also had offers of help from the community while his business recovers from the floods.
"Everyone's here to help each other. It's all you can do," he said.
"I've had customers ring up, and friends, to offer help, so everyone's getting together."
ABC News: Hannah Palmer
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