Central Coast flooding: Major flooding in and around Tuggerah Lakes
Major flooding continues to impact the Central Coast with a massive day of rescues, welfare checks and food drops. The Express were invited to tag along to a special four-legged welfare check and saw the devastation impacting some of our communities.
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Rescues, welfare checks and food, fuel and sandbag drops were carried out across the Central Coast as major flooding continues.
NSW SES – Wyong Unit was were responding to 700 call-outs on Wednesday with the help of other agencies including Surf Life Saving, Rural Fire Service (RFS), Volunteer Rescue Association, NSW Police and Marine Rescue.
Access is restricted at Tuggerawong due to high flood waters as the Express Advocate joined the Rural Fire Service on an animal welfare check. pic.twitter.com/mLIV9jUfGj
— Fiona Killman (@FionaKillman) July 6, 2022
They focused on areas in and around Tuggerah Lakes as flood levels climbed to 1.67m, the same level reached in the 2020 floods.
Yarramalong was also a key area as residents have been cut off from vital services.
The Express were invited to join a RFS welfare check of two dogs in Tuggerawong whose owners had been unable to access them since Monday due to flooding.
We went beyond “road closures” to see the impact the floods are having on the Tuggerawong community. There were vehicles submerged and floodwaters creeping halfway up some balconies.
Tuggerawong kelpies Max and Bailey were delivered some much needed food, cuddles and ball throwing by RFS volunteers Kate Williams-Dawes and Sue Dengate with the owners unable to access them due to flooding. pic.twitter.com/PhhoUrDypI
— Fiona Killman (@FionaKillman) July 6, 2022
However spirits remained high as children in Oodies waved from their balcony and another child used waves created by emergency vehicles to have fun in his kayak.
RFS members Kate Williams-Dawes and Sue Dengate were tasked to get food to Tuggerawong kelpies Max and Bailey who had not eaten in three days.
The coast mums, and self-confessed dog lovers, have been assisting throughout the flooding crisis.
The dogs were thrilled to see friendly faces and while the food would have been demolished the second we left, they were more interested in us playing ball.
This is just one example of what our volunteers do – from major rescues to the delivery of food and fuel and bringing food and joy to isolated pets.
Meanwhile the ground floor of Chittaway Bay resident Hugh Pennell’s three storey home is inundated.
Mr Pennell evacuated his two granddaughters, who were staying for the school holidays, from the house on Wednesday morning.
“We’ve been here for five years and this is the fourth time we’ve flooded,” he said.
“This is the highest it’s been.”
He said he was pissed off that a combination of developments, maintenance of The Entrance Channel and lack of drainage work contributed to the ongoing floods.
“This should be able to be prevented, we are all over it.”
Aloha Rd residents Carly Barlow and Bryce Gawthorne were transporting food to their granny flat via kayak.
The couple were in high spirits determined to make sure they have food and presents to celebrate their son’s birthday on.
“We’re getting it all sorted, we just have to deal with it,” Mr Gawthorne said.
Back at Wyong SES quarters, new parents Amber Hagan and Dylan Arnold, along with their 5 month old baby Theodore, had just been rescued from their flooded South Tacoma home by the SES.
Chittaway Bay resident Hugh Pennell wades back to his home after evacuating his grandchildren. pic.twitter.com/zsRSk7RBGo
— Fiona Killman (@FionaKillman) July 6, 2022
The couple spent a frightening night as water climbed in their grant flat.
“Water was rising, we had no power, no lights and it was freezing,” Mr Arnold said.
“We couldn’t heat up the baby’s milk. We were all huddled on the bed with the cat and baby trying to keep warm.”
When neighbours found out the couple were still in their homes on Wednesday morning, they took them to higher ground for food and warmth before the SES arrived.
NSW SES Wyong Unit Commander Matt Le Clerq said there was an inter agency approach happening focusing on Yarramalong, South Tacoma and along Tuggerah Lakes in suburbs of Chittaway Bay, Berkeley Vale and Tacoma.
“Across the coast we are looking at 700 requests for assistance,” he said.
“About 50 of those are flood rescues.”
He said the priority for Yarramalong was getting medicine, food and fuel to isolated residents.
Mr Le Clerq said there were no guarantees flood levels at Tuggerah Lakes had peaked.
EARLIER TODAY
Continued heavy rainfall will see flood levels around Tuggerah Lakes exceed earlier predictions.
NSW SES Wyong Unit has stated that major flooding is occurring along Tuggerah Lake on Wednesday morning with a peak level of 1.75m to be reached my midday.
“Heavy rainfall since Saturday has caused significant river level rises along the Wyong River and its tributaries, which feed into Tuggerah Lake,” an SES statement read.
“Major flooding is occurring along Tuggerah Lake at Long Jetty, where water levels continue to rise slowly.
“Along the Wyong River at Wyong Bridge, flooding has eased, where river levels fell below the minor flood level early Wednesday morning.
“Further rainfall is forecast during Wednesday, which may cause further river level rises and prolonged flooding. This situation is being closely monitored, and revised predictions will be provided as necessary.”
The Central Coast and Greater Sydney has been declared a natural disaster area.
JULY 5
Evacuations are continuing for residents in low lying areas around Tuggerah Lakes as rain continues across the region.
NSW SES issued an evacuation order with a 2pm deadline on Tuesday for people in and around Budgewoi and Tuggerah Lakes.
Chittaway Bay resident Shannon Schloff has shared the drone images taken on Tuesday afternoon, revealing the extent of the flooding in and around Chittaway.
NSW SES – Wyong Unit Commander Matt Le Clerq told the Express that the SES along with Rural Fire Service, Marine Rescue, Surf Life Saving and Volunteer Rescue Association had been door knocking since 1pm advising residents of the order.
“The evacuation order remains in place,” he said.
“We are expected the lake to hit the major flood level of 1.6m overnight and possibly higher if this rain continue.”
Mr Le Clerq said it was going to be a nervous night for residents.
“We are just hoping residents are heeding the evacuation orders before it gets dark otherwise it’s going to be a lot more difficult,” he said.
The areas around Tuggerah Lakes expected to be impacted include The Entrance, Long Jetty, Berkeley Vale, Chittaway Bay, Tacoma South, Tacoma, Wonga, Tuggerawong, Rocky Point, Blue Haven, Budgewoi, Buff Point, Charmhaven, Gorokan, Lake Haven, Rocky Point, San Remo, Canton Beach and Toukley.
“Once flood water begins inundating the area road access water, sewerage, power, phones and internet may be lost,” the SES are warning.
“If you remain in the area you will be trapped and it may be too dangerous for SES to rescue you.”
An evacuation centres has been set up at Diggers at The Entrance, 315 The Entrance Rd, The Entrance, and Gosford RSL, 26 Central Coast Hwy, West Gosford.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has confirmed major flooding is occurring at Sackville, Lower Portland and Wisemans Ferry.
An evacuation order remains in place for Wisemans Ferry, Gunderman, Spencer, Lower Mangrove, Glenworth Valley, Wendoree Park, Marlow, Bar Point.
Central Coast Council has advised that The Entrance Channel is currently open along with all lagoons.
“Council staff have been closely monitoring for coastal erosion along our beaches,” a council statement read.
“Some erosion has been noted at North Entrance and Lakes Beach. No significant erosion has been recorded at Wamberal as of Tuesday 9am, and Council will continue to monitor surf and swells for any further impacts.”
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