Flood warnings have been downgraded in Central West New South Wales, bringing relief to many who were told to evacuate.
The State Emergency Service (SES) has now issued a partial all-clear for evacuated residents in parts of Forbes, with water levels beginning to subside.
Substantial rain is expected over the weekend which could see river levels rise once again.
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"That could add extra pressure to the river system so yeah, certainly the emergency evacuation order hasn't been lifted yet, well keep a very close eye on the river height," David Rankin, from NSW SES, said.
The Bureau of Meteorology today revised its flood peak with levels unlikely to top the 2016 disaster.
The Lachlan River at Forbes Iron Bridge may peak near 10.55 metres tonight, below the 10.67m level of the 2016 floods that peaked at 10.67m and affected at least 100 homes in the township.
Though that has been wound back from the previously predicted 10.65m peak, it is enough for major flooding.
Major flooding is already underway at Nanami, and is also expected at Cottons Weir and Jemalong.
The Lachlan River at Cottons Weir may peak near 6.70 metres tonight, SES said.
Meanwhile, the clean up is beginning in Cowra as water levels there start to drop.
The SES is patrolling the flooded Lachlan River, but while floodwaters have crept up to some houses in Forbes, damage to urban property has so far been minor.
Farmers in the affected area, however, are facing hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost crops and damage.
SES flood rescue technician Alex Turner said there was still a long way to go, and urged people to continue avoiding driving on flooded roads.
"If it's flooded, forget it. We don't know what some of these roads look like under the water," he said.
He said the area was approaching the major flood level.
"I think we're in a good position at the moment, and the rate of change in the river is starting to level," he told 9News.
Forbes Shire Council Mayor Phyllis Miller warned that the slow pace of the flood had bred "complacency".
"There's no signs of flooding (in Forbes) and, of course, that makes people think that we're crying wolf," she told Today.
"But our river is coming up and it will peak some time today."
She said it was still uncertain what would happen when the rising river waters joined with the town's lake system.
Ms Miller said "millions and millions of dollars" worth of crops in the region had already been washed away, devastating farmers who had expected a bumper harvest.
And she said she was worried about further flood dangers in coming weeks and months.
"This has a real smell of the 2012 flood. We had a flood like this and then, of course, it started to recede and then we got enormous rains," she said.
"Of course, when that happens, Wyangala is sitting over 100 per cent. They will have no choice but to put water down our river.
"I think we're not out of the woods yet."
About 4am, bureau senior forecaster Rod Dickson said the river was at 10.3m and still rising, having already peaked upstream at Nanami.
State Emergency Service crews spent yesterday evening door-knocking about 800 low-lying homes asking residents to comply with an evacuation order.
Night shift deputy incident controller Superintendent Stuart Fisher said about a third to half of residents had stayed behind but urged them to reconsider at first light.
"It's obviously our preference for everybody to heed the evacuation order and to leave if safe to do so," he said, adding that the situation remained the same as yesterday.
"Given it's night at the moment, we would ask them to reassess the situation in the morning and heed our advice and leave."
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Premier Dominic Perrottet said the evacuation process had been completed overnight, while Emergency Services Minister David Elliott said he was very happy not a single flood rescue had so far been required.
He urged people to continue to obey flood safety protocols and avoid actions such as driving through floodwaters.
Forbes residents Darren Lincoln and Dina Peters were among those who didn't want to leave home for the evacuation centre at St Andrews Presbyterian Church on Harold Street.
"You're not going to get swept away in a big rush of water, it doesn't happen like that, so there's always plenty of time," Dina Peters said.
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"Floodwaters will progressively close roads and access will be cut so do not delay moving," the SES has warned.
"Once floodwater begins inundating the area road access, water, sewerage, power, phones, and internet may be lost.
"If you remain in the area you will be trapped and it may be too dangerous for SES to rescue you."
