DANIELLE Johnson took a photo of her husband Darren and daughter Jayde travelling in a boat down Bawden St, Tumbulgum during the high of the flood.

Mrs Johnson said the town started filling up with water about 2am Monday.

"The photo was taken about 7am this morning and that was probably the peak," Mrs Johnson said.

"It's gone down about 200mm now (2.30pm Tuesday).

"Everyone is getting around in their canoes."

The rather placid look of the water through the streets of Tumbulgum was a far cry from Monday when the Tweed River broke its banks.

"It came up fast and we lost two cars there were on higher ground," Mrs Johnson said.

"I have never seen it come up so fast. It was racing through Riverside Dr.

"There was no SES around… nothing.

"This is twice as bad as last year (January 2012)."

Mrs Johnson said you could almost take a boat from one end of Riverside Dr to the other.

North Coast Public Health reminded people to stay out of floodwater whenever possible.

"To avoid illness from potentially contaminated flood waters, it is important to wash hands with soap and clean water after participating in any flood clean-up activities, and before eating or handling food," acting director of public health Greg Bell said.

"First aid should be applied immediately to any scratches or cuts to reduce chances of infection."

"It is best to avoid all unnecessary contact with mud and floodwaters and to keep children out of flood affected areas," Mr Bell said.