THE sheer amount of water falling from the sky this week has shocked forecasters; expert and amateur alike.

They warned us on Monday that the rain wouldn't let up till early next week, but the deluge that followed their warning was more than many residents were prepared for.

The heaviest falls were recorded overnight Tuesday and Wednesday morning with 190mm recorded at Banora Point, 221mm at both Kingscliff and Tweed Heads and 225mm at Pottsville in the 24 hours before 3pm on Wednesday.

By Wednesday evening the Tweed River had peaked at major flood levels in Murwillumbah and Chinderah and residents downstream from the rising Clarrie Hall Dam were placed on alert.

More than 500mm had fallen in just three days, soaking the ground and filling drains.

The sodden Tweed Valley was given a slight reprieve from the rain on Thursday with only a spattering recorded in both Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads, allowing Australia Day revellers the chance to enjoy some long-awaited sunshine.

But the reprieve was short; the rain began again overnight with particularly heavy falls further north on the Gold Coast.

The rain continued across the Tweed Valley throughout yesterday with another 80-100mm recorded across the shire.

Tweed Heads resident Wal Smith has recorded the rainfall for more than 10 years. He said he had never felt rain so heavy.

"I live on a canal here and with the king tides and the rain the water is as high as I have ever seen it too," Mr Smith said.

Showers are expected to continue into next week.