Flood water at a level not seen in the Manning Valley for at least 40 years swept through the area and caused widespread destruction and damage to businesses, namely along Pulteney Street.

Many business owners and staff have spent the past two days assessing the damage and starting the clean-up process.

Pulteney Arcade suffered the most damage.

Businesses such as Car Park Deli, Bohemian Cafe, Clippers Hair Salon, Ambiance Day Spa and Margaret's Underfashions were inundated with water.

One shop owner believed the water exceeded one metre at its peak, as evident by mud markings on the walls and door.

Sandbags were used throughout the arcade but they could only do so much.

Staff at Car Park Deli said real estate agents have been terrific in the clean-up while many people walked through the arcade on Monday March 22 to lend a hand to all businesses.

It will take considerable time before Bohemian Cafe staff can think about serving food and coffees again.

Staff told the Times all stock was ruined in the flood.

All shops in the arcade will be closed indefinitely.

Across the street, Bamara Taree general manager Lesley Zarb said damage to the office was "pretty extensive".

"We're taking out all the carpet and we probably need to move most of the furniture," Lesley said on Monday.

"We're going to salvage what we can and make do with what we have."

What makes the damage more astonishing is the fact the business is on a higher level than others along the street.

"There was no way I thought it was going to get us," Lesley said.

"We had sandbags and put everything up as high as we could but we still got a fair bit of damage."

The business has secured a temporary site and will move back to Pulteney Street when the time is right.

"We'll keep going, we might be down but we're not out," Lesley said.

Holiday Coast Office Taree managing director Dave Vernon said water levels reached about 55cm inside the shop at its peak.

"We were lucky, we just got out most of new photocopier equipment and refurbishing stock but we had a bit of stock damage," Dave said.

Dave worked with staff to move furniture and stock to the front of the store and to sweep out water.

He was saddened by the impact the flood had on shops in the arcade.

Elsewhere, damaged stock and furniture was removed from Elite Barber Crew and The Shed Luxe.

French Taste Bakery was flooded and will be closed indefinitely.

Further up the street, Holden Shoe Repairs and Travel Goods had damaged carpet and stock removed.

Several businesses spared by flood damage opened their doors on Monday.

On the corner of Pulteney and Albert Street, Little Eaterly Cafe was open with reduced hours.

Nik's Cutting Edge also had its doors open. Sandbags prevented water entering the premises.

The same can't be said for Bass N Blues, which suffered significant water damage.

Some businesses across the CBD were closed on Monday due to staff shortages.

Meanwhile, owners of Mid North Coast business Gingermegs purchased pizzas from Domino's Taree and dropped them off to businesses as they cleaned up.

This is one of many examples of local businesses delivering food to affected businesses and emergency personnel.