THE NAMBUCCA Valley and Urunga were smashed overnight by a superstorm - and this morning residents are picking up the pieces while in some areas the situation continues to deteriorate.
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The Pacific Highway is cut four kilometres north of Macksville and the river there is said to be rising fast. An electronic signboard near the Nambucca Plaza was warning motorists to turn about as the road was closed ahead, however a number were seen to ignore it so traffic is now steadily building as there are no diversions in place.
A number of areas have been cut off by the rising waters. Bowraville is isolated as are all of the 'Arms' in the Nambucca hinterland.
The Scotts Head-Macksville Rd is cut however Scotts residents can still access Grassy Head Rd.
Hundreds of trees have been brought down across the shire, including a large one which blocked the road this morning on the way to the V-Wall at Nambucca Heads. Two Fire and Rescue engines attended that incident.
A tall gumtree near Woolworths Nambucca Heads was cut in half, while a large timber billboard for a visitor park on the northern approach to the tourist town was also brought down by the cyclonic winds which gusted at speeds of up to 130kph.
The wind raged right through the night and thousands of people across the Mid North Coast were left without power. Nambucca Heads was blacked out early last night, while Valla Rural has been without power since about 7.30pm.
Essential Energy has advised people with supply disruptions to call 132-080, however due to the sheer size of the number of power outages, customers might be better making contact through the energy company's Facebook page.
Urunga has also been hit hard, with numerous reports of damage to buildings, and an evacuation centre has been set up.
The other major regional road closure is between Bellingen and Dorrigo, with the Waterfall Way one of the first to be closed yesterday afternoon.
The Pacific Highway is also now closed between Frederickton and North Kempsey. A planned public walk of the new Kempsey Bridge tomorrow - the longest in Australia - has been postponed due to the wild weather.
Other major roads which are currently closed are:
* Oxley Highway - closed between Walcha and Wauchope
* Gwydir Highway - closed between Grafton and Glen Innes
* Bangalow Rd - closed between Lismore and Bexhill
* Lawrence and Ulmarra Ferries - out of service.
There is also water on the road on the Pacific Highway near The Lakes Way at Rainbow Flat which is affecting traffic in both directions.
The New England Highway remains open through to Queensland and can be used as an alternative route.
For more traffic information, visit www.livetraffic.com or call 132-701.