UPDATE: MOTORISTS are advised to consider delaying their travel as floodwaters continue to rise across the Mid North Coast.

Widespread flooding has closed the Pacific Highway at Corindi.

The highway may remain closed until at least midnight.

All motorists travelling between Sydney and Brisbane should use the New England Highway.

Southbound motorists heading towards Sydney should divert to the Gwydir Highway at Grafton and then to the New England Highway.

Motorists heading north towards Queensland should divert to the Oxley Highway at Port Macquarie and then to the New England Highway.

These detours will add at least an extra three hours to some journeys and motorists are advised to postpone all non-essential journeys and stay away from the area if possible.

There is no access to the Pacific Highway at Corindi. There is also flooding on the Pacific Highway north of Kempsey.

The RTA reminds motorists to drive carefully in wet conditions and not to attempt to drive through floodwaters.

BREAKING: MOTORISTS are being advised to avoid travel on the Pacific Highway between Kempsey and Grafton due to flash flooding and heavy rain.

The Pacific Highway remains closed in both directions between South Grafton and Corindi.

The Pacific Highway is also closed in both directions at Valla Beach (north of Nambucca Heads) due to a fallen tree.

The Orara Way remains closed due to flooding.

Motorists can use the New England Highway as an alternative.

Motorists wishing to travel on the Pacific Highway between Kempsey and Grafton are advised to postpone travel.

Additionally, Waterfall Way at Dorrigo Mountain remains closed due to flooding.

Thunderbolts Way is closed to both directions of traffic at Nowendoc. (50kms north of Gloucester)

The latest status of NSW flood affected state roads can be found by visiting www.livetrafficnsw.com.au or by calling the traffic information line on 132 1

Flooding between Woolgoolga and Grafton

FLASH flooding north of Coffs Harbour has caused traffic chaos in the region.

A Department of Transport spokesman has urged motorists to avoid travel on the Pacific Highway between Woolgoolga and Grafton.

The Orara Way has also been closed due to flooding.

Motorists are being advised to use the New England Highway as an alternative.

Residents of the Mid North Coast and Hunter region are being warned of more heavy falls coming today.

Bellingen has been cut in two with Lavender's Bridge now 1.2m under water and predictions for a moderate flood level with the Bellinger River reaching 6.7m which may require evacuation of low lying properties.

Residents in Woolgoolga re reporting falls of 250mm in the past 24 hours with some accompanying property damage.

Minor flood warnings are also in place for the Hunter River, the Manning River at Wingham and Hastings River at Kindee Bridge.

State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers responded to 301 calls during the public holiday long weekend, following average rainfall of 140 millimetres on the central coast.

These were mostly in relation to leaking roofs and sandbagging issues, SES spokeswoman Becky Gollings said.

Five people, some trapped in cars, had to be rescued in the Gosford and Ourimbah areas.

It was a matter of “watching and waiting” to see how the situation developed on Tuesday, Ms Gollings said.

Motorists are being advised to avoid flood-affected roads.

The Pacific Highway at Cumbalum, north of Ballina, and Bellimbopinni,north of Kempsey, are also flooded, a Department of Transport spokesman said.

Thunderbolts Way at Nowendoc is closed in both directions due to a landslip, while Waterfall Way at Dorrigo Mountains closed in both directions due to flooding.

“Motorists are being advised to avoid all non essential travel in flood affected areas,” the spokesman said.