Australia: Flooded highway open, but more rain on NSW horizon

The Pacific Highway has re-opened as floodwaters recede on the north coast of New South Wales, but more than a thousand people remain isolated and authorities have warned of more rain ahead.

The highway had been closed for several days near Grafton after a week of wet weather.

Dave Wright from the Traffic Management Centre says the highway was checked by engineers before re-opening just after 10:00am (AEDT).

"There was some repair works that took place to the road's surface and the road was safe again, which is good news," he said.

"I believe that the works were somewhat temporary, so the actual surface itself is certainly safe enough to drive on.

"It's now open in both directions. There's no speed restrictions through that area, so that's great news for anyone who is travelling on the Pacific Highway."

The State Emergency Service says 1,250 people remain isolated on the state's north and mid-north coast.

Another 250 are cut off inland at Goodooga, on the Queensland border west of Lightning Ridge.

A flood watch that had been in place for the Murrumbidgee and Nambucca Rivers has been cancelled, but the Bureau of Meteorology is warning of more rain from tomorrow until Friday.

The bureau says there is a 70 per cent change of minor or moderate flooding developing from late tomorrow in the Gwydir, Namoi, Peel, Bellinger, Nambucca, Hastings, Manning and Upper Hunter rivers.

There is also the possibility of major flooding in the Orara and Macleay rivers.

SES spokesman Graham Craig says food airdrops and medical evacuations may be carried out to help those stranded at Goodooga.

He says Bourke, Wanaaring and Weilmoringle could also be hit by flooding of the Paroo River.

"Bourke Shire and the Department of Public Works did significant works on that levee to heighten the levee," he said.

"They also did some temporary works in the village of Weilmoringle that was subsequently knocked down because it actually was a temporary levee that went across a road.

"We'll be investigating the potential of the need to do that again, but we're not going to know exactly what that's going to do downstream until the gauges closer to the border come in."

A flood inquiry helpline remains open on 1800 227 228, while those seeking emergency assistance should still call the SES hotline on 132 500.

- ABC/ReliefWeb