Wamberal residents brace for more wild weather with new threat to beachside homes

As large swells are expected to further batter homes teetering on the edge at Wamberal on the Central Coast, residents are preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best.

• Wamberal: Council calls for area to be declared ‘State of Emergency’
• Waterfront houses in Wamberal collapse as swells batter shoreline

Residents of 18 properties directly impacted by erosion at Wamberal hope emergency works carried out over the weekend can ride out another east coast low.

High tide has hit this afternoon with the rough surf conditions lashing against beachfront properties and the tonnes of rocks laid by Central Coast Council.

However there are grave concerns come the next high tide to come in the early hours of tomorrow morning, with swells expected to near double in size.

High tide hits Wamberal Beach this afternoon as residents watch on helplessly. Picture: Fiona Killman

Homes along Ocean View Drive in Wamberal have been impacted by heavy swells. Picture: Toby Zerna

Resident Margaret Brice said the swell had picked back up with strong wind and heavy rain lashing the coast since early Sunday morning.

“The works look okay,” she said.

“We would have liked them to do more but it was good they got as much done as they did in the time frame. We just have to cross our fingers and hope for the best.”

Dangerous surf conditions are expected into the evening. Picture: Fiona Killman

Earth moving and construction equipment arrive at Ocean View Drive that is closed to beach front residents and the public following damage to homes at Wamberal Beach. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.

Ms Brice said the properties were expected to be inspected and further works set to resume on Wednesday.

“We just hope the storm isn’t as bad as some people have predicted,” she said.

The Central Coast Council has installed 180 rock bags, weighing two tonnes each, have been installed using a crane.

An additional 600 tonnes of rock have been placed at other priority sites in Wamberal.

Homes along Ocean View Drive in Wamberal are at risk from erosion. Picture: Toby Zerna

At North Entrance 200 tonnes has arrived on site and is being installed in the priority area. A pozi track machine that can operate during higher tides is being used to assist the dump trucks with the movement and placement of rocks.

Works at both sites are focused on stabilising the base of the escarpment.

All available rock filled bags have now been placed on Wamberal beach to help secure the base of the escarpment.

In line with coastal engineering advice, a council statement said rock protection works were also extended past the beach access at 25 Ocean View Drive.

Wamberal Beach remains closed in front of the emergency works and there is a lot of activity around the surf club so the advice is to avoid the area.

Meanwhile surfers take advantage of the conditions at Terrigal. Picture: Fiona Killman