South coast flooding: Moruya River expected to peak, major flood warning for Shoalhaven
South coast residents are on high alert with heavy rains are causing flash flooding, road closures and evacuations around Moruya and Nowra – just two weeks after nearby Sussex Inlet was inundated by rising waters.
The South Coast News
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Several communities on the state’s south coast are on high alert this morning as river levels rise, bringing evacuation orders and flash flooding.
On Sunday, residents in the Moruya CBD were urged to evacuate as the NSW SES spent the afternoon sandbagging businesses and homes in the area.
By Monday morning, flooding at the Moruya River was minor, however the situation was worsening further north, with major flood warnings issued for the Shoalhaven River at Nowra and Terara, with the water levels expected to peak at 4.4m about 1pm.
In a warning the NSW SES said flooding this major hadn’t been seen in the area since 1991.
By 9.30am Eurobodalla Shire Council had confirmed that no homes or businesses had flooded so far in Moruya.
The river peaked at just over two metres overnight, lower than predicted, however the water levels did cause minor flooding at the eastern end of the CBD.
A fortnight after Sussex Inlet was hammered by floodwaters, some residents have been told to get to higher ground as flood waters again threaten to damage homes.
NSW SES is directing people Wunda Ave, Elmoos Ave, Jacobs Street, Poole Ave, River Road, Cater Crescent, Banksia Street and Fairview Ave to evacuate due to rising water levels.
Minor flooding is also current along the St Georges Basin while moderate flooding is possible at Sussex Inlet and Island Point.
The weekend of wild weather brought more than 200mm of rain on towns including Moruya, Nowra and Captains Flat at the weekend.
On Sunday, Shoalhaven City Council opened Shoalhaven Heads to the ocean, however the coastal hamlet was still on edge Monday morning as residents were told to prepare for approaching flood waters.
Further north there was flash flooding in Berry and Gerringong, while some roads remained closed in the Illawarra on Monday morning.
The SES conducted more than 18 flood rescues across the weekend, with most calls coming from Berry, Nowra, Broughton Vale and Gerringong.
Meanwhile, more than 20 homes at Broughton Vale near Berry were also cut off by flood water on Monday morning.
Since Friday, NSW SES has received more than 700 calls and in the past 24 hours, 349 calls were made in relation to storm and flooding damage.
The Wollongong SES unit alone responded to 75 calls for assistance on Saturday and Sunday, with wind gusts of up to 100km per hour bringing down trees in areas like Berkeley.
ROAD CLOSURES
BERKELEY- The southbound off-ramp to North Cliff Dr is closed due to water on the road.
ALBION PARK- The Illawarra Highway is closed in both directions between Princes Highway and Tongarra Road due to flooding.
JAMBEROO- Jamberoo Mountain Road is closed in both directions between Barren Grounds Road and Misty Lane due to a landslip.
SHOALHAVEN- A number of roads are closed across the Shoalhaven due to flooding. For a full list of closures visit: www.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/Emergencies/Road-Closures
ON THE TRAINS
Trains have been suspended between Thirroul and Waterfall due to a tree caught in the overhead wiring at Otford.
Bus replacement services are being looked into until train services can resume.
