Residents evacuated around Narrabeen Lagoon given all clear by SES
Authorities have issued an ‘all clear’ for residents evacuated on Sunday as a result of flooding in low-lying areas on the northern beaches.
Manly
Don't miss out on the headlines from Manly. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Residents forced out of hundreds of homes around Narrabeen Lagoon by rising floodwaters on Sunday night have been given the all-clear.
Authorities were worried a high tide this morningn could bring more flood waters into streets in Narrabeen, North Narrabeen and Warriewood.
However, the State Emergency Service issued an all clear that allows residents to move back in.
But authorities are not letting the occuppants of 10 houses that were evacuated because of landslip fears in North Narrabeen and Bayview yesterday, to return home.
On Sunday night the SES and Northern Beaches police helped evacuate people to emergency evacuation centres at Mona Vale Memorial Hall, and at the Cromer Community Centre.
People in the emergency area also encouraged people to stay with friends or relatives.
The SES had urged people, via SMS mobile phone messages, to leave the flood zone with predictions that flooding in that area was likely to be worse than the damaging flood of 2016.
An spokesman for the SES Warringah/Pittwater unit said this morning that the flood evacuation order covered 930 homes.
“Last night the occupants of 930 residences were asked to leave,” the SES spokesman said.
“A number of homes were affected by floodwater and a number of streets were blocked.”
Meanwhile, more than 4000 homes across the northern beaches wee still without power this morning in suburns including Balgowlah Heights, Seaforth, Beacon Hill, Cromer, Narraweena, Brookvale, Dee Why, Collaroy, Narrabeen, North Narrabeen, Warriewood, Mona Vale, Oxford Falls, Newport, Frenchs Forest, Davidson, Bayview, Whale Beach and Avalon.
The flood crisis at Narrabeen comes as authorities clean up after Sunday’s wild winds and heavy rain.
This morning Northern Beaches Council confirmed the walkway from Manly to Shelley Beach along Marine Parade has been closed off due to rough sea conditions. Security are on the site to redirect people.
Wakehurst Parkway, Oxford Falls Rd, Balgowlah Rd, Kenneth St and Westhead Rd in the National Park have also been shut off to the public.
While lagoons remain open for now, the council is closely monitoring conditions. Meanwhile, the council is also monitoring for any signs of coastal erosion.
Homeowners along the Collaroy beachfront that was devastated by the 2016 storm had been bracing for severe tidal damage overnight were surprised when they woke not to destruction — but to a mountain of foam.
Robin, and her brother Robert McGuinness’ beachfront home on Collaroy Beach, made headlines when their swimming pool fell into the sea after a severe east coast low.
Ms McGuinness said she was worried king tides predicted overnight Sunday would devastate their home once again.
Instead, she woke at 7am on Monday to creamy foam covering her entire front yard.
Mr McGuinness said 10 beachfront homes were waiting for seawalla to be built, a process agreed on by council and the state government more than three years ago.
“We’re sick of waiting,” she said.
University of NSW coastal researcher Mitchell Harley said the beach eroded 25m overnight
“The 2016 storm was the largest erosion we’d seen in 40 years to that area,” Dr Harley said..
But he warned the properties faced damage next weekend, with swells in excess of four metres predicted.
“With the already eroded beaches after this weekend, its another concern for property damage.”
Northern Beaches Council Mayor Michael Regan said they had staff out across the weekend, backing up emergency services, opening evacuation centres, removing felled trees, assisting with road closures and responding to resident calls for support.
“Weather conditions are easing but we are asking residents to remain vigilant, to avoid travel if possible and don’t drive through flood waters,” Mayor Regan said.
“Landslips are of particular concern and we are asking residents to be vigilant with their footings on their houses.
“We have a big clean up ahead and have all hands to deck to get in and start immediately.
Thanks to everyone involved across the weekend – its times like these you see the community really come together.”
The council libraries and the community centres listed below are available for residents to seek comfort, charge mobile phones and enjoy a cup of tea: Narrabeen Tram Shed, Avalon Rec Centre, and Forestville Community Centre.
Shower facilities are available at Manly Andrew ‘Boy’ Charlton Aquatic Centre, Warringah Aquatic Centre, Avalon Surf Club and Newport Surf Club.
The SES Warringah/Pittwater unit received more than 490 calls for assistance by the middle of Sunday afternoon alone.
Storm damage caused by torrential rain and high winds — a 108km/h gust was recorded at North Head — included a small landslide underneath a two-storey building at Bayview.
At Ingleside, for example, 200mm of rain fell since midnight Saturday night, with 175mm of that falling since 7am on Sunday morning.
Numerous trees fell, bringing down power lines, affected power to thousands of homes.
Traffic lights were also blacked out at a number of major intersections including Warringah and Allambie roads at Allambie Heights.
Several parked cars were also damaged by falling trees at Terrey Hills, Belrose, Killarney Heights, Elanora Heights and Bayview.
A number of schools across the northern beaches did not open their doors today due to roads blocked by floodwaters or fallen trees.
Schools closed are Elanora Heights Public School; Narrabeen Lakes Public School; Narrabeen North Public School; Narrabeen Sports High School and: Stella Maris College at Queenscliff.
Overflowing stormwater drains brought traffic to a halt on major routes including Barrenjoey Rd at Palm Beach. Traffic was also affected on Mona Vale Rd at Terrey Hills, Powderworks Rd at Ingleside. The Wakehurst Parkway was closed.
Marine Rescue at Broken Bay answered dozens of calls for help on Pittwater. Its volunteer had to retrieves a luxury house boar that had broken its moorings near Palm Beach.
Manly Dam also broke its banks and authorities had to release water over the dam wall to prevent flooding.