Latest news with #NSWStateEmergencyService
The Advertiser
03-07-2025
- Climate
- The Advertiser
Tiny island in eye of storm as mainland crisis eases
Communities are dealing with fallen trees and powerlines, dam spillage and flying trampolines in the aftermath of a wild weather system that battered Australia's east coast and is now bearing down on a popular small island. The downpour was driven by a "vigorous" east coast low, which the Bureau of Meteorology predicts will move into the Tasman Sea on Thursday. The "complex and rapidly deepening" system will continue to bringing rain, storms, windy conditions and elevated seas in coming days. Residents on Lord Howe Island, in the Tasman Sea east of Port Macquarie, have been warned to prepare for the storm, with waves hitting more than five metres. Sixth generation Islander Anthony Riddle, who runs a gin distillery business, said it was all part of the expected weather patterns during winter, with the roof of the police station blowing off the only notable casualty so far. "The island's quite resilient because you've got a lot of trees, and part of the building code on the island here is all the houses have to be built below the tree line," he told AAP on Thursday. "There's no houses on the foreshore, so we won't have any houses affected by any coastal erosion. It's business as usual." With 380 residents, the island has a cap of 400 on the number of tourists allowed to visit at any one time and winter is the season when it is at its lowest. "You do get these lows hanging off the Australian coast so it is a normal weather pattern for us," Mr Riddle said. More than 4000 incidents have been logged to the NSW State Emergency Service since the weather event began on Monday. The highest number of jobs at about 500 were recorded in Sydney where trees and powerlines have fallen on vehicles and roofs. There have been 12 flood rescues across the state with authorities repeating calls to not drive through floodwaters. "Weather has eased and people are starting to move...(but) we are continuing to monitor river systems and coastal catchments," SES Deputy Commissioner Debbie Platz. "This has been a very widespread and dynamic system," she said signalling the conclusion of the event in the coming days. Ms Platz said with some rises in rivers, the focus will be on low-lying areas in the North Richmond area, west of Sydney, as well as for communities along the Peel River near Tamworth. As of Thursday, about 3000 Endeavour Energy customers were without electricity, down from a peak of 30,000, and Ausgrid reported more than 45,000 had power cuts with about 1650 still being worked on. The Bureau of Meteorology's Gabrielle Woodhouse said minor flooding was still occurring in several parts of the state. There was good news for communities in Sanctuary Point and Burrill Lake near Jervis Bay after emergency warnings were downgraded overnight. But the state won't be in the clear yet with a trough moving through on Sunday. "This could bring some thunderstorms to parts of the ranges of the South Western Slopes and also much more wind during the middle part of next week," Ms Woodhouse said. Meanwhile, water flowing out of Australia's largest urban water supply will potentially add to the risk of flooding. Warragamba Dam west of Sydney started flowing late Wednesday and is currently at a rate of 53 gigalitres per day and could peak to 60 GL later on Thursday, Water NSW said. Spills at the dam are not uncommon, previously occurring in May, and three times in 2024. Communities are dealing with fallen trees and powerlines, dam spillage and flying trampolines in the aftermath of a wild weather system that battered Australia's east coast and is now bearing down on a popular small island. The downpour was driven by a "vigorous" east coast low, which the Bureau of Meteorology predicts will move into the Tasman Sea on Thursday. The "complex and rapidly deepening" system will continue to bringing rain, storms, windy conditions and elevated seas in coming days. Residents on Lord Howe Island, in the Tasman Sea east of Port Macquarie, have been warned to prepare for the storm, with waves hitting more than five metres. Sixth generation Islander Anthony Riddle, who runs a gin distillery business, said it was all part of the expected weather patterns during winter, with the roof of the police station blowing off the only notable casualty so far. "The island's quite resilient because you've got a lot of trees, and part of the building code on the island here is all the houses have to be built below the tree line," he told AAP on Thursday. "There's no houses on the foreshore, so we won't have any houses affected by any coastal erosion. It's business as usual." With 380 residents, the island has a cap of 400 on the number of tourists allowed to visit at any one time and winter is the season when it is at its lowest. "You do get these lows hanging off the Australian coast so it is a normal weather pattern for us," Mr Riddle said. More than 4000 incidents have been logged to the NSW State Emergency Service since the weather event began on Monday. The highest number of jobs at about 500 were recorded in Sydney where trees and powerlines have fallen on vehicles and roofs. There have been 12 flood rescues across the state with authorities repeating calls to not drive through floodwaters. "Weather has eased and people are starting to move...(but) we are continuing to monitor river systems and coastal catchments," SES Deputy Commissioner Debbie Platz. "This has been a very widespread and dynamic system," she said signalling the conclusion of the event in the coming days. Ms Platz said with some rises in rivers, the focus will be on low-lying areas in the North Richmond area, west of Sydney, as well as for communities along the Peel River near Tamworth. As of Thursday, about 3000 Endeavour Energy customers were without electricity, down from a peak of 30,000, and Ausgrid reported more than 45,000 had power cuts with about 1650 still being worked on. The Bureau of Meteorology's Gabrielle Woodhouse said minor flooding was still occurring in several parts of the state. There was good news for communities in Sanctuary Point and Burrill Lake near Jervis Bay after emergency warnings were downgraded overnight. But the state won't be in the clear yet with a trough moving through on Sunday. "This could bring some thunderstorms to parts of the ranges of the South Western Slopes and also much more wind during the middle part of next week," Ms Woodhouse said. Meanwhile, water flowing out of Australia's largest urban water supply will potentially add to the risk of flooding. Warragamba Dam west of Sydney started flowing late Wednesday and is currently at a rate of 53 gigalitres per day and could peak to 60 GL later on Thursday, Water NSW said. Spills at the dam are not uncommon, previously occurring in May, and three times in 2024. Communities are dealing with fallen trees and powerlines, dam spillage and flying trampolines in the aftermath of a wild weather system that battered Australia's east coast and is now bearing down on a popular small island. The downpour was driven by a "vigorous" east coast low, which the Bureau of Meteorology predicts will move into the Tasman Sea on Thursday. The "complex and rapidly deepening" system will continue to bringing rain, storms, windy conditions and elevated seas in coming days. Residents on Lord Howe Island, in the Tasman Sea east of Port Macquarie, have been warned to prepare for the storm, with waves hitting more than five metres. Sixth generation Islander Anthony Riddle, who runs a gin distillery business, said it was all part of the expected weather patterns during winter, with the roof of the police station blowing off the only notable casualty so far. "The island's quite resilient because you've got a lot of trees, and part of the building code on the island here is all the houses have to be built below the tree line," he told AAP on Thursday. "There's no houses on the foreshore, so we won't have any houses affected by any coastal erosion. It's business as usual." With 380 residents, the island has a cap of 400 on the number of tourists allowed to visit at any one time and winter is the season when it is at its lowest. "You do get these lows hanging off the Australian coast so it is a normal weather pattern for us," Mr Riddle said. More than 4000 incidents have been logged to the NSW State Emergency Service since the weather event began on Monday. The highest number of jobs at about 500 were recorded in Sydney where trees and powerlines have fallen on vehicles and roofs. There have been 12 flood rescues across the state with authorities repeating calls to not drive through floodwaters. "Weather has eased and people are starting to move...(but) we are continuing to monitor river systems and coastal catchments," SES Deputy Commissioner Debbie Platz. "This has been a very widespread and dynamic system," she said signalling the conclusion of the event in the coming days. Ms Platz said with some rises in rivers, the focus will be on low-lying areas in the North Richmond area, west of Sydney, as well as for communities along the Peel River near Tamworth. As of Thursday, about 3000 Endeavour Energy customers were without electricity, down from a peak of 30,000, and Ausgrid reported more than 45,000 had power cuts with about 1650 still being worked on. The Bureau of Meteorology's Gabrielle Woodhouse said minor flooding was still occurring in several parts of the state. There was good news for communities in Sanctuary Point and Burrill Lake near Jervis Bay after emergency warnings were downgraded overnight. But the state won't be in the clear yet with a trough moving through on Sunday. "This could bring some thunderstorms to parts of the ranges of the South Western Slopes and also much more wind during the middle part of next week," Ms Woodhouse said. Meanwhile, water flowing out of Australia's largest urban water supply will potentially add to the risk of flooding. Warragamba Dam west of Sydney started flowing late Wednesday and is currently at a rate of 53 gigalitres per day and could peak to 60 GL later on Thursday, Water NSW said. Spills at the dam are not uncommon, previously occurring in May, and three times in 2024. Communities are dealing with fallen trees and powerlines, dam spillage and flying trampolines in the aftermath of a wild weather system that battered Australia's east coast and is now bearing down on a popular small island. The downpour was driven by a "vigorous" east coast low, which the Bureau of Meteorology predicts will move into the Tasman Sea on Thursday. The "complex and rapidly deepening" system will continue to bringing rain, storms, windy conditions and elevated seas in coming days. Residents on Lord Howe Island, in the Tasman Sea east of Port Macquarie, have been warned to prepare for the storm, with waves hitting more than five metres. Sixth generation Islander Anthony Riddle, who runs a gin distillery business, said it was all part of the expected weather patterns during winter, with the roof of the police station blowing off the only notable casualty so far. "The island's quite resilient because you've got a lot of trees, and part of the building code on the island here is all the houses have to be built below the tree line," he told AAP on Thursday. "There's no houses on the foreshore, so we won't have any houses affected by any coastal erosion. It's business as usual." With 380 residents, the island has a cap of 400 on the number of tourists allowed to visit at any one time and winter is the season when it is at its lowest. "You do get these lows hanging off the Australian coast so it is a normal weather pattern for us," Mr Riddle said. More than 4000 incidents have been logged to the NSW State Emergency Service since the weather event began on Monday. The highest number of jobs at about 500 were recorded in Sydney where trees and powerlines have fallen on vehicles and roofs. There have been 12 flood rescues across the state with authorities repeating calls to not drive through floodwaters. "Weather has eased and people are starting to move...(but) we are continuing to monitor river systems and coastal catchments," SES Deputy Commissioner Debbie Platz. "This has been a very widespread and dynamic system," she said signalling the conclusion of the event in the coming days. Ms Platz said with some rises in rivers, the focus will be on low-lying areas in the North Richmond area, west of Sydney, as well as for communities along the Peel River near Tamworth. As of Thursday, about 3000 Endeavour Energy customers were without electricity, down from a peak of 30,000, and Ausgrid reported more than 45,000 had power cuts with about 1650 still being worked on. The Bureau of Meteorology's Gabrielle Woodhouse said minor flooding was still occurring in several parts of the state. There was good news for communities in Sanctuary Point and Burrill Lake near Jervis Bay after emergency warnings were downgraded overnight. But the state won't be in the clear yet with a trough moving through on Sunday. "This could bring some thunderstorms to parts of the ranges of the South Western Slopes and also much more wind during the middle part of next week," Ms Woodhouse said. Meanwhile, water flowing out of Australia's largest urban water supply will potentially add to the risk of flooding. Warragamba Dam west of Sydney started flowing late Wednesday and is currently at a rate of 53 gigalitres per day and could peak to 60 GL later on Thursday, Water NSW said. Spills at the dam are not uncommon, previously occurring in May, and three times in 2024.
The Advertiser
02-07-2025
- Climate
- The Advertiser
Rain, winds ease in the Hunter as low pressure system moves on
After being hammered by peak gusts of up to 110 kmh, easing conditions will hopefully bring some respite to the Hunter Region. A complex low-pressure system that brought days of intense rain and wild winds along the NSW east coast, was likely to move further east into the Tasman sea by Thursday morning, July 3. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, damaging winds averaging 60 to 70 kmh, peaking at 100kmh were still possible late on Wednesday July 2 on the Hunter coastline. In the 24 hours to Wednesday 3.30pm, Nobbys weather station recorded 20.2 millimetres while Williamtown recorded 26.4 millimetres. Newcastle's Thursday forecast was predicting a maximum of 18 degrees with an 80 per cent chance of one to 6 millimetres of rain with Friday July 4 dropping to 10 per cent chance of rain. A coastal hazard and hazardous surf warning for large and powerful surf conditions and coastal erosion was forecast into Thursday for the Hunter coast. Northern zone public information officer Steven Lawrence said the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) responded to 432 incidents in the greater Hunter area during the weather event as of July 2 at 10am. The Central Coast was hit harder, however, with 333 incidents in Gosford and 217 incidents in Wyong. The majority of call-outs were from fallen trees and, to a lesser extent, leaking roofs, Mr Lawrence said. Port Stephens SES received 50 calls for assistance since the low-pressure system began, ranging from minor flooding to requests for sandbags and trees down on houses. The local unit said while the rain and wind could hang around this evening, there were sandbagging points in Raymond Terrace and Medowie. Cooranbong and Dora Creek in Lake Macquarie were initially put on flood watch on Tuesday but have been downgraded to monitor conditions as rainfall was expected to ease on Thursday. The Barrington Tops conservation group, Aussie Ark, said they were hammered by the "cyclone bomb" that swept through after only just starting to rebuild from May's devastation. "The team is now facing fresh destruction as torrential rain, cyclonic winds, and unpredictable snowfall leave the sanctuary battered once again," they said. Fifteen trees came down across the property, ripping through fences, blocking access tracks while power cut out at several facilities. Out of hundreds of animals on site, only two Tasmanian Devils were unaccounted for, although the organisation believed they were likely sheltering in their dens. "We've only just begun to recover from the last disaster, and now we're picking up the pieces all over again," managing director Tim Faulkner said. Across the state, the SES responded to 3400 incidents. NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Nicole Hogan said the complex low-pressure system was currently shifting off the south coast, bringing risk of flash and riverine flooding around Illawarra and Shoalhaven. "Volunteers have been kept busy overnight and into today as strong wind gusts brought down trees, powerlines and damaged properties," Ms Hogan said. "We have more than 2,000 members responding to incidents, along with emergency service partners. An additional crew from ACT SES is deploying to assist in the area later today," she said. "We urge everyone to stay well clear of fallen trees and powerlines as we work to clean up the damage." The Insurance Council of Australia recorded almost $2 billion in flood, cyclone and rain insurance in six months. The Mid North Coast and the Hunter Region claims from the May floods had numbered 11,500, reaching almost $200 million, they said. After being hammered by peak gusts of up to 110 kmh, easing conditions will hopefully bring some respite to the Hunter Region. A complex low-pressure system that brought days of intense rain and wild winds along the NSW east coast, was likely to move further east into the Tasman sea by Thursday morning, July 3. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, damaging winds averaging 60 to 70 kmh, peaking at 100kmh were still possible late on Wednesday July 2 on the Hunter coastline. In the 24 hours to Wednesday 3.30pm, Nobbys weather station recorded 20.2 millimetres while Williamtown recorded 26.4 millimetres. Newcastle's Thursday forecast was predicting a maximum of 18 degrees with an 80 per cent chance of one to 6 millimetres of rain with Friday July 4 dropping to 10 per cent chance of rain. A coastal hazard and hazardous surf warning for large and powerful surf conditions and coastal erosion was forecast into Thursday for the Hunter coast. Northern zone public information officer Steven Lawrence said the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) responded to 432 incidents in the greater Hunter area during the weather event as of July 2 at 10am. The Central Coast was hit harder, however, with 333 incidents in Gosford and 217 incidents in Wyong. The majority of call-outs were from fallen trees and, to a lesser extent, leaking roofs, Mr Lawrence said. Port Stephens SES received 50 calls for assistance since the low-pressure system began, ranging from minor flooding to requests for sandbags and trees down on houses. The local unit said while the rain and wind could hang around this evening, there were sandbagging points in Raymond Terrace and Medowie. Cooranbong and Dora Creek in Lake Macquarie were initially put on flood watch on Tuesday but have been downgraded to monitor conditions as rainfall was expected to ease on Thursday. The Barrington Tops conservation group, Aussie Ark, said they were hammered by the "cyclone bomb" that swept through after only just starting to rebuild from May's devastation. "The team is now facing fresh destruction as torrential rain, cyclonic winds, and unpredictable snowfall leave the sanctuary battered once again," they said. Fifteen trees came down across the property, ripping through fences, blocking access tracks while power cut out at several facilities. Out of hundreds of animals on site, only two Tasmanian Devils were unaccounted for, although the organisation believed they were likely sheltering in their dens. "We've only just begun to recover from the last disaster, and now we're picking up the pieces all over again," managing director Tim Faulkner said. Across the state, the SES responded to 3400 incidents. NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Nicole Hogan said the complex low-pressure system was currently shifting off the south coast, bringing risk of flash and riverine flooding around Illawarra and Shoalhaven. "Volunteers have been kept busy overnight and into today as strong wind gusts brought down trees, powerlines and damaged properties," Ms Hogan said. "We have more than 2,000 members responding to incidents, along with emergency service partners. An additional crew from ACT SES is deploying to assist in the area later today," she said. "We urge everyone to stay well clear of fallen trees and powerlines as we work to clean up the damage." The Insurance Council of Australia recorded almost $2 billion in flood, cyclone and rain insurance in six months. The Mid North Coast and the Hunter Region claims from the May floods had numbered 11,500, reaching almost $200 million, they said. After being hammered by peak gusts of up to 110 kmh, easing conditions will hopefully bring some respite to the Hunter Region. A complex low-pressure system that brought days of intense rain and wild winds along the NSW east coast, was likely to move further east into the Tasman sea by Thursday morning, July 3. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, damaging winds averaging 60 to 70 kmh, peaking at 100kmh were still possible late on Wednesday July 2 on the Hunter coastline. In the 24 hours to Wednesday 3.30pm, Nobbys weather station recorded 20.2 millimetres while Williamtown recorded 26.4 millimetres. Newcastle's Thursday forecast was predicting a maximum of 18 degrees with an 80 per cent chance of one to 6 millimetres of rain with Friday July 4 dropping to 10 per cent chance of rain. A coastal hazard and hazardous surf warning for large and powerful surf conditions and coastal erosion was forecast into Thursday for the Hunter coast. Northern zone public information officer Steven Lawrence said the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) responded to 432 incidents in the greater Hunter area during the weather event as of July 2 at 10am. The Central Coast was hit harder, however, with 333 incidents in Gosford and 217 incidents in Wyong. The majority of call-outs were from fallen trees and, to a lesser extent, leaking roofs, Mr Lawrence said. Port Stephens SES received 50 calls for assistance since the low-pressure system began, ranging from minor flooding to requests for sandbags and trees down on houses. The local unit said while the rain and wind could hang around this evening, there were sandbagging points in Raymond Terrace and Medowie. Cooranbong and Dora Creek in Lake Macquarie were initially put on flood watch on Tuesday but have been downgraded to monitor conditions as rainfall was expected to ease on Thursday. The Barrington Tops conservation group, Aussie Ark, said they were hammered by the "cyclone bomb" that swept through after only just starting to rebuild from May's devastation. "The team is now facing fresh destruction as torrential rain, cyclonic winds, and unpredictable snowfall leave the sanctuary battered once again," they said. Fifteen trees came down across the property, ripping through fences, blocking access tracks while power cut out at several facilities. Out of hundreds of animals on site, only two Tasmanian Devils were unaccounted for, although the organisation believed they were likely sheltering in their dens. "We've only just begun to recover from the last disaster, and now we're picking up the pieces all over again," managing director Tim Faulkner said. Across the state, the SES responded to 3400 incidents. NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Nicole Hogan said the complex low-pressure system was currently shifting off the south coast, bringing risk of flash and riverine flooding around Illawarra and Shoalhaven. "Volunteers have been kept busy overnight and into today as strong wind gusts brought down trees, powerlines and damaged properties," Ms Hogan said. "We have more than 2,000 members responding to incidents, along with emergency service partners. An additional crew from ACT SES is deploying to assist in the area later today," she said. "We urge everyone to stay well clear of fallen trees and powerlines as we work to clean up the damage." The Insurance Council of Australia recorded almost $2 billion in flood, cyclone and rain insurance in six months. The Mid North Coast and the Hunter Region claims from the May floods had numbered 11,500, reaching almost $200 million, they said. After being hammered by peak gusts of up to 110 kmh, easing conditions will hopefully bring some respite to the Hunter Region. A complex low-pressure system that brought days of intense rain and wild winds along the NSW east coast, was likely to move further east into the Tasman sea by Thursday morning, July 3. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, damaging winds averaging 60 to 70 kmh, peaking at 100kmh were still possible late on Wednesday July 2 on the Hunter coastline. In the 24 hours to Wednesday 3.30pm, Nobbys weather station recorded 20.2 millimetres while Williamtown recorded 26.4 millimetres. Newcastle's Thursday forecast was predicting a maximum of 18 degrees with an 80 per cent chance of one to 6 millimetres of rain with Friday July 4 dropping to 10 per cent chance of rain. A coastal hazard and hazardous surf warning for large and powerful surf conditions and coastal erosion was forecast into Thursday for the Hunter coast. Northern zone public information officer Steven Lawrence said the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) responded to 432 incidents in the greater Hunter area during the weather event as of July 2 at 10am. The Central Coast was hit harder, however, with 333 incidents in Gosford and 217 incidents in Wyong. The majority of call-outs were from fallen trees and, to a lesser extent, leaking roofs, Mr Lawrence said. Port Stephens SES received 50 calls for assistance since the low-pressure system began, ranging from minor flooding to requests for sandbags and trees down on houses. The local unit said while the rain and wind could hang around this evening, there were sandbagging points in Raymond Terrace and Medowie. Cooranbong and Dora Creek in Lake Macquarie were initially put on flood watch on Tuesday but have been downgraded to monitor conditions as rainfall was expected to ease on Thursday. The Barrington Tops conservation group, Aussie Ark, said they were hammered by the "cyclone bomb" that swept through after only just starting to rebuild from May's devastation. "The team is now facing fresh destruction as torrential rain, cyclonic winds, and unpredictable snowfall leave the sanctuary battered once again," they said. Fifteen trees came down across the property, ripping through fences, blocking access tracks while power cut out at several facilities. Out of hundreds of animals on site, only two Tasmanian Devils were unaccounted for, although the organisation believed they were likely sheltering in their dens. "We've only just begun to recover from the last disaster, and now we're picking up the pieces all over again," managing director Tim Faulkner said. Across the state, the SES responded to 3400 incidents. NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Nicole Hogan said the complex low-pressure system was currently shifting off the south coast, bringing risk of flash and riverine flooding around Illawarra and Shoalhaven. "Volunteers have been kept busy overnight and into today as strong wind gusts brought down trees, powerlines and damaged properties," Ms Hogan said. "We have more than 2,000 members responding to incidents, along with emergency service partners. An additional crew from ACT SES is deploying to assist in the area later today," she said. "We urge everyone to stay well clear of fallen trees and powerlines as we work to clean up the damage." The Insurance Council of Australia recorded almost $2 billion in flood, cyclone and rain insurance in six months. The Mid North Coast and the Hunter Region claims from the May floods had numbered 11,500, reaching almost $200 million, they said.
The Guardian
02-07-2025
- Climate
- The Guardian
NSW wild weather: SES responds to 2,800 incidents as vigorous coastal low lashes state
Thousands were left without power across New South Wales as severe winds and heavy rain battered the east coast. The NSW State Emergency Service has responded to more than 2,800 incidents since a vigorous coastal low developed. The weather system is expected to direct severe weather across eastern NSW for much of Wednesday before easing on Thursday
The Independent
01-07-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Australia bomb cyclone live: Coastal residents told to ‘evacuate now' as powerful storm halts flights
A rapidly intensifying low-pressure system known as a ' bomb cyclone ' is lashing Australia 's east coast with heavy rain and winds, prompting evacuation orders for coastal properties. Authorities on Tuesday warned that parts of New South Wales could expect the weather to worsen in the next 24 hours, with up to 250mm (9.8 inches) of rain and winds up to 125kmph (78mph) predicted. Emergency services minister Jihad Dib said the size of the system was "enormous". "It may seem pretty bad but the terrible thing is the situation is going to worsen over the course of the next 24 hours," he told a news conference on Tuesday afternoon. Residents living in areas vulnerable to coastal erosion have been told to leave their homes, with minor flood warnings also in place for several communities along the state's Mid North Coast. Authorities received over 900 emergency calls on Tuesday. 'Stay indoors' warning as bomb cyclone pummels Australia's east coast Residents across parts of New South Wales have been urged to stay inside as a powerful 'bomb cyclone' brings torrential rain and destructive winds to Australia's east coast. The NSW State Emergency Service issued urgent warnings late on Tuesday for people in Jervis Bay, Ulladulla and Batemans Bay, where wind gusts exceeding 125kmph are possible overnight. 'Locally destructive wind gusts with peak gusts in excess of 125kmph are possible along the coastal fringe of the Illawarra and South Coast this evening and overnight, roughly between Jervis Bay and Batemans Bay, with this risk easing during Wednesday morning," the SES said. A severe weather warning to stay indoors also applies to residents on the exposed coastal fringe of the Sydney metropolitan area, particularly between Bulli and Collaroy. The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts a further 100–200 mm of rain across parts of the Central Coast and Hunter region, with damaging winds expected to persist through Thursday as a powerful 'bomb cyclone' batters New South Wales. Stuti Mishra1 July 2025 09:16
ABC News
01-07-2025
- Climate
- ABC News
Central Coast residents asked to leave beachside homes amid erosion fears
Beachfront property owners have been told to leave their homes due to the threat of a wild weather system, while residents claim authorities' efforts to protect their homes have been ineffective. Heavy rain and winds from an intense east coast low is lashing large parts of the NSW coast and generating powerful surf. Volunteers from the NSW State Emergency Service have been doorknocking homes in Wamberal and North Entrance on the NSW Central Coast and asking residents to leave. Wamberal Beach was thrashed by storms in July 2020, leaving some houses teetering on the brink of collapse. Five years almost to the day, the same erosion problems remain with no clear solution in place. Central Coast Council started emergency protection works on Tuesday morning, using large machinery to excavate sand and reinforce dunes in the vicinity of a handful of properties deemed at particular risk. But the rising tide combined with powerful surf has already stripped much of that away. Frustrated homeowners, including Warrern Hughes, likened the conditions to 2020. Mr Hughes said the council's latest action was "insane" and should have happened much sooner. "Ironically, they turned up on the day of the east coast low," he said. "We've got 10 foot waves out the front. "The absurd correction works they were doing, it's just insane to watch. "They move along the beach, a wave comes in and removes the sand." Residents have for weeks been calling for urgent action to address coastal erosion at the beach. Their pleas became more desperate in recent days with forecasts of this week's wild weather. In a letter to the council on Monday, they said they feared the predicted conditions could be "catastrophic" for homes and public infrastructure. The council's preliminary estimate of the cost of building a seawall in 2022 was up to $40 million, with impacted residents expected to foot most of the bill. Homeowner Chris Rogers acknowledged there was community opposition to ad-hoc property protection works but defended residents' need for immediate action "when you've got two metres left before the bank drops away to your doorstep". "It's extremely frightening for people," he said. NSW Minister for the Central Coast, David Harris, acknowledged residents' frustrations but said legal processes had to be followed. New legislation in the pipeline has been designed to "speed up the normal processes" but Mr Harris said residents would always be required to submit a development application including an environmental impact statement. "Any work that's done, can't have an adverse impact on the rest of the environment," he said. The state government is involved in longer-term coastal erosion solutions, while the council and other emergency services work together on immediate protective measures. Those measures have been delayed because Central Coast Council has not yet finalised its Coastal Management Plan. On the NSW South Coast, Surfside resident Craig Lyttle said his house was battered every time there was a large swell event. He said while he had been sandbagging in preparation, he still felt vulnerable. "We live in fear every east coast low that is predicted," he said Mr Lyttle said state and local governments had not done enough to address coastal erosion. "This sand dune was built to protect the suburb of Surfside when the suburb was developed," he said. "Now it's been reduced to nothing and we have no protection from the ocean and this is what happens." Mr Lyttle said he used sand that washed into his yard during a storm surge earlier in the year to create a makeshift barrier. "We probably had about 30 cubic metres of sand wash in, so we were able to hire a bobcat and the fellow did a wonderful job," he said. "But we need a hard stand or a rock wall or something to protect our houses." With the storm tracking further south and expected to bring hazardous surf and waves up to 10 metres, he has already sandbagged part of his property. "We've sandbagged the back of the house, they are ones SES left here last time and we've got them at the back of our house," he said.
