NSW communities prepare for more severe weather, first evacuation order issued
Power has been cut from more than 430 northern beaches homes, after a severe weather warning was issued for a large part of the NSW coastline.
NSW
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NSW residents are bracing for another punishing weather event, with a flood watch now issued for river catchments across Sydney and the Illawarra amid warnings an intense east coast low could develop by this afternoon.
By 3pm, Ausgrid had reported multiple power outages across the northern beaches affecting more than 430 properties.
The biggest current outage is affecting Elanora Heights, Ingleside, North Narrabeen and Terrey Hills with 257 homes blacked out.
There are also outages at Belrose, Bilgola Plateau, Allambie Heights and Balgowlah.
Large gumtree has taken down powerlines in Windrush Avenue, Belrose, causing power outage to more than 50 neighbouring homes.
Forest Tree Service is on standby to remove the tree from driveway, just waiting on Ausgrid service crew to arrive to make powerline safe.
Evacuation order issued
The first evacuation warning has been issued for NSW residents as the severe weather system continues to batter the state’s east.
Volunteers from the NSW State Emergency Service have started to evacuate residents from Wamberal and the North Entrance on the state’s Central Coast.
Residents of half a dozen homes on Hutton Rd, North Entrance have been told to leave now due to “dangerous waves resulting in significant damage to buildings from coastal erosion caused by storm activity.”
A hazardous surf warning from the Bureau of Meteorology is active for the area and much of the state’s east coast, including Sydney, the Hunter and the Illawarra.
The SES has issued new warnings for parts of the NSW South Coast on Tuesday afternoon as the weather event begins to intensify across the southern region.
Residents in Nowra and Sussex Inlet have been warned to “stay informed” as areas begin to experience minor flooding.
“The Bureau of Meteorology advises a severe weather warning is current for heavy rainfall, which may lead to flash flooding is developing in the Illawarra south of the Wollongong later today, extending southwards to reach Bega in the South Coast by evening,” the SES warning reads.
Residents further south in Ulladulla, Batemans Bay, and into the Bega Valley are not yet bracing for flooding, but warnings remain in place to watch the current situation and act if necessary.
The heavy rain and winds of up to 100km/h are expected to batter the South Coast across the evening.
Chaos at Sydney Airport
Sydney Airport is now operating only a single runway as a “bomb cyclone” smashing NSW wreaks havoc for travellers.
Airlines including Virgin and Jetstar have cancelled numerous flights throughout Tuesday as the low pressure system brings heavy rainfall and blistering winds to Sydney and long stretches of the state’s east coast.
Airservices Australia has confirmed single runway operations are now in place at Sydney Airport due to strong southwesterly winds.
“This adheres to our International Civil Aviation Organisation safety regulations for runway usage amid inclement weather,” a spokesperson said.
“Safety is Airservices’ number one remit - this decision is purely weather- and safety-related to safeguard the travelling public.
“Delays are expected. We will continue to work closely with industry to minimise impacts for the travelling public.
“Decisions regarding flight cancellations are a matter for individual airlines.”
A deepening trough is moving towards the coast, and forecasters say it could rapidly intensify into a dangerous system capable of triggering flash flooding, coastal erosion and storm damage from Coffs Harbour in the north to Bega in the south.
NSW SES Deputy Commissioner Debbie Platz described the unfolding east coast weather system as a “very significant, widespread, dynamic and complex” event, warning communities from Coffs Harbour to the Victorian border to prepare for flash flooding and destructive winds.
“This system is fast-moving, different to recent events, and will bring rapid, heavy, short and sharp rain bursts,” she said.
Wind gusts could reach up to 125km/h, and rainfall totals may exceed 200mm in isolated areas, particularly between Newcastle, Sydney, the Illawarra and down the coast.
“We’ve already received over 900 calls in the past 24 hours,” she said, urging residents to clean gutters, tie down loose items, and avoid parking under trees.
More than 1,200 SES volunteers have been deployed, with aerial and high-clearance vehicles pre-positioned in key areas.
BOM meteorologist Gabrielle Woodhouse said the low-pressure system had intensified overnight and was driving heavy rainfall and dangerous winds southward.
“We’re expecting falls of over 120mm in just six hours in parts of Sydney and the Illawarra, with destructive winds of up to 125km/h along the coast,” she said.
Areas including Armidale, Taree, Newcastle, Sydney, Wollongong, Nowra and Batemans Bay, could see six hours of rainfall totals equivalent to what they’d normally receive in an entire month, with falls ranging from 70-120mm.
A hazardous surf warning and risk of coastal erosion are also in place, with waves expected to exceed six metres.
It comes as the Central Coast Council will be carrying out repairs to existing coastal protection works at Wamberal Beach on Tuesday.
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned the developing system may become a classic east coast low, bringing destructive winds and heavy surf to large areas of NSW and potentially parts of Queensland.
“Queensland will also feel some of the effects, particularly the wind and wave action in southern and southeastern regions,” senior meteorologist Angus Hines said.
“Waves generated further south are expected to propagate north, creating hazardous surf conditions on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts from midweek.”
Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Helen Reid says a deepening low-pressure system off the NSW coast is bringing “widespread, moderate to heavy rain” and dangerous conditions from Port Macquarie to Batemans Bay.
“We’ve already seen falls of up to 98mm at Jervis Bay and 83mm at Currarong overnight,” she said.
Severe weather warnings are in place, with winds expected to peak between 90 and 110km/h, and locally destructive gusts up to 125km/h possible for exposed coastal areas between Bondi and Wollongong from midday Tuesday.
“This system is producing large, powerful waves and hazardous surf conditions, with a risk of flash flooding, tree damage, and coastal erosion,” Ms Reid said.
Rainfall totals of 50 to 120mm are forecast across much of eastern NSW, with isolated falls of more than 200mm possible.
The wild weather is expected to persist into Thursday, with the heaviest impacts hitting Tuesday and Wednesday.
NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Nicole Hogan ESM said the developing low-pressure system poses a serious risk of flash flooding and storm-related damage.
“Coastal communities should take steps now to secure outdoor items and familiarise themselves with their local flood risk before conditions worsen,” she said.
“While minor river flooding is anticipated, flash flooding remains a major concern — it can strike suddenly and without much warning. That’s why we’re urging people to know their risk and avoid driving through flooded roads. If you see water over the road, turn back and take a safer route.”
Minor flooding is possible across coastal catchments from Forster to Moruya — including the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley — from Wednesday through the end of the week.
In preparation, the NSW SES has deployed personnel and equipment to vulnerable areas such as Kiama, Auburn, Hawkesbury, Maitland, Dungog, Cessnock and Taree.
The NSW mid north coast, Sydney and other parts of the state’s east remain particularly vulnerable, still reeling from record-breaking floods just weeks ago, and now facing the threat of another dangerous deluge.
The state has seen widespread rainfall over the past 24 hours, with significant downpours recorded across coastal and regional areas, according to data collected since 9am on Monday.
In the Northern Rivers, Lismore saw 31.2mm, and Tweed Heads recorded 24.6mm, contributing to steady totals across the region.
Further south, Port Macquarie received 26.4mm between 9am Monday and 6am Tuesday, while Sydney and Wollongong experienced more modest falls of 14mm and 10.4mm, respectively.
Forecasters have labelled the system a potential “bomb cyclone” — an intense weather event that can emerge and escalate dramatically within a matter of days.
The South Coast bore the brunt of the wet weather, recording a hefty 83mm, making it the hardest-hit region. Newcastle also experienced substantial rainfall, with 55.8mm falling over the city, while Coffs Harbour received 43mm.
It comes as the Minns government finally applied to the federal government for further disaster funding more than a month after catastrophic wild weather devastated parts of the state.
The system, known as “bombogenesis”, is expected to develop into a savage east coast low by this afternoon, with areas from Tenterfield down to the Illawarra and beyond warned of “destructive” winds up to 110km/h, capable of ripping down trees and powerlines.
Some areas can also expect rainfall up to 200mm over a 48-hour period, increasing the risk of flash flooding.
The Bureau of Meteorology says locally destructive wind gusts with peak gusts in excess of 125 km/h are also possible from midday Tuesday for exposed coastal areas between Newcastle and Forster.
Taree was one of the worst-hit areas of the Mid North Coast during May’s record-breaking flooding, and the town is now once again in the firing line, with the BOM forecasting it and the Port Macquarie, Newcastle, Gosford, Sydney and Wollongong areas will be affected.
Last month’s flooding could make the incoming conditions even worse, BOM meteorologist Morgan Pumpa said.
Ms Pumpa said the worst of the fast-moving system would hit by this afternoon and into the evening before carrying on into tomorrow, but the wet soil left from the earlier floods presented additional dangers.
“There’s a concern because of the wet ground more trees will come down,” she said.
“This can cause power outages and impacts to roads.”
Last night, Virgin Australia warned the weather was “likely to affect” Sydney and Newcastle flights today and travellers should “keep an eye” on their flight’s status.
Meanwhile, the SES has already predeployed 395 volunteers to high-risk locations in preparation of the onslaught.
SES Assistant Commissioner Nicole Hogan warned coastal residents to begin preparing for more flooding “by securing loose items around their home and learning about their flood risk before the worst impacts occur,” she said.
Surf Life Saving NSW has also warned residents to stay away from beaches and refrain from coastal activities, saying the coast will “be far too dangerous” with wave heights of up to seven metres.
As flood-affected residents continue to rebuild from the disaster which damaged or destroyed an estimated 10,000 homes and claimed five lives, some are still waiting for adequate government assistance.
The Minns government finally applied to the federal government for extra disaster funding last Friday, which would open up grants of up to $75,000 for affected primary producers and businesses.
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