Rain emergency: Evacuate order downgraded for northern beaches
Authorities have downgraded an evacuation order for residents around Narrabeen Lagoon as floodwaters start to subside. But a new problem has emerged. See updated reports here.
Manly
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1pm SATURDAY: A Sydney Water emergency crew work at Clontarf Reserve to divert wastewater overflowing from a major sewage pipe across Middle Harbour, near the Clontarf sewerage pumping station, from flowing into the carpark.
12.30pm SATURDAY: NSW SES downgrades evacuation order for people living around Narrabeen Lagoon.
It advises that locals can “return with caution” to their homes.
Residents were alsoadvised that if their property has been affected by floodwater they should make sure it is safe before entering and to check for damage to windows, walls and
the roof and be careful of potential dangers including asbestos.
9am SATURDAY: A Watch and Act - Prepare to Evacuate warning has been issued for residents living in a zone downstream of Manly Dam, which started spilling overnight.
Authorities advise people to download the Hazards Near Me app for more detailed information.
7.30am SATURDAY: Residents living in low lying areas around Narrabeen Lagoon were told to “evacuate now” by authorities due to dangerous and rising floodwaters.
A number of streets in Warriewood and North Narrabeen,as well as on the Narrabeen Peninsula, were affected.
Locals were told to move to Pittwater Rd and then head north or south.
9pm: A new Severe Weather Warning for heavy, locally intense rainfall and damaging winds has been issued.
The Weather Bureau advised the rainfall may lead to flash flooding and that damaging wind gusts were expected before the wild weather moved south on Saturday.
7pm: The NSW SES issued a “watch and act” notice at 7pm on Friday for residents living in low lying areas along Narrabeen Lagoon to prepare to evacuate due to “current dangerous and rising flooding”.
People living close to the lagoon in Narrabeen, Narrabeen Peninsula and Warriewood, as well as those living along creeks, culverts, driveways and causeways leading to the lagoon, received the notice.
Locals were advised that they should “monitor the situation and prepare to evacuate so that you can safely evacuate when instructed to do so by NSW SES.
“ Wherever possible, you should prepare to stay with family or friends, or make other accommodation arrangements.
“If you remain in the area, you may become trapped without power, water, and other essential services. It may be too dangerous for NSW SES to rescue you.”
4.35pm: Wakehurst Parkway, between the Sydney Academy Of Sport & Recreation at North Narrabeen and Oxford Falls Road is closed due to flooding.
4.20pm: The council advises that Marine Parade, the walkway along Cabbage Tree Bay between Manly and Shelly Beach, will close at 5pm and barriers wll be in place until at least 10am Saturday.
The Hop Skip and Jump community shuttle bus has stopped operating today and will recommence at 10am Saturday at the earliest.
The council has also closed all beaches and advises tha️t all events and outdoor activities have been cancelled and/or postponed. All fields will be closed on Saturday apart from Rat Park, Manly Oval and synthetic fields – to be reassessed tomorrow for Sunday status.
Netball has been cancelled for tomorrow.
3.40pm: An increase in the rainfall led to worsening driving conditions after water overflowed from drains across Pittwater Rd at North Manly.
The NSW State Emergency Service headquarters makes an annoucement advising people to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel as significant rainfall impacts much of the state’s east coast.
A “severe storm warning” is in place from Gosford in the north, to Batemans Bay in the south, across to Goulburn, with damaging winds and extremely heavy rain possible.
Latest figures from the Weather Bureau show that in the three hours to 3pm, Manly and Mona Vale each received 22mm of rain.
3pm: SES volunteers were in Maretimo St, Balgowlah, where a large tree fell across the road, narrowly missing a car.
2.30pm: Volunteers from the Manly SES have been called out to several homes reporting leaks.
2pm: Balgowlah Rd near Golf Pde, near the Harris Farm round-about is starting to flood.
Authorities are urging motorists to take an aternate route with more heavy rain on the way.
The council has confirmed on its website that a number of sports grounds and reserves are closed due to the wet weather Check here for details.
It is advised that people check with their local sports club or Association to find out whether their competition over the weekend has been cancelled.
1pm: Contactors were on site to keep the channel between Narrabeen Lagoon and the ocean open to allow water to escape to the ocean at North Narrabeen Beach.
The council had opened the channel on Tuesday night, but the channel closed again naturally because the lagoon level was roughly the same as the ocean.
Some water was released from Manly Dam to provide more flood storage and the council was expected to open Manly Lagoon to the ocean at Queenscliff this afternoon.
“The forecast is worsening, and we are expecting heavy rain and local flooding later today (Friday) peaking overnight, and into the weekend,” the council warned on its website.
12.45: Oxford Falls Rd, between Wakehurst Parkway and Aroona Rd at Oxford Falls, was kept closed due to flooding over the causeway that began just after 7.30am.
9am: Water went over the banks of Manly Lagoon in Riverview Pde at North Manly.
8am: Northern Beaches Council and the SES left free sand and sandbags at three locations — Balgowlah Golf Club, North Narrabeen Beach car park and Denzil Joyce Oval car park, Abbott Rd North Curl Curl — to assist locals to protect their homes against potential flooding.
The council also has an Emergency Preparedness page on its webite to assist residents cope with flooding, and other, emergencies. Click here for info
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