Lismore floods: man saves 16 people and five dogs after losing his own home

On Monday, he ferried 16 people and five dogs to safety.

Ricketts said he could see people in need of rescuing as he was evacuating his own household of six.

Ricketts said he could not estimate how any people were trapped in homes by the flood water on Tuesday.

Ricketts is not the only local hero. Vincent Marychurch and Jeff Harris told the ABC they rescued 25 people in their tinnie, after setting out at 4am.

Ricketts said he had barely slept in the 48 hours since the extreme weather arrived in the Northern Rivers.

Ricketts was having a break on Monday afternoon, and considering whether to continue rescuing. He said his boat had 50 horsepower so could negotiate the water currents.