South coast floods: Evacuation orders met with mixed reactions

Evacuation orders given for residents in a popular bay side area were met with ambivalence by some, while on the other side of the bay, streets were deserted.

Streets were empty and houses deserted in the popular bay side area of Sussex Inlet in Shoalhaven only hours after evacuation orders were issued.

NSW SES told residents of Sussex Inlet and neighbouring St Georges Basin to leave by midday on Tuesday or risk being left stranded and possibly without power.

The warning comes as local catchments overflow after receiving more than 120mm on Monday, with an additional 200mm or more forecast for Tuesday.

Floodwaters swept over a streets in Sussex Inlet, which had become a ghost town.

Wild weather continues to lash the south coast. Picture: Nathan Schmidt

Two-storey riverside houses slowly succumbed to rising waters, which swallowed piers and water level markers.

A few houses remain occupied but were already sealed off from most vehicle access by rising waters.

The situation was significantly different in St Georges Basin, a 20-minute drive away on the other side of the bay - and, uphill.

There, the streets continued to hum with life, with cars coming and going and people stopping to take photos and videos of the rising floodwaters.

Linda Langrage was taking out the garbage for her second storey waterside apartment when floodwaters began lapping at the structure on Tuesday afternoon.

Ms Langrage wasn’t worried about the flood warnings and was defiant not to evacuate.

“I’ve lived here all my life, I’m not scared,” she said.

“I’ve seen this all before.

Ms Langrage lives above the Pelican Cafe, and was confident the floods wouldn’t reach her apartment.

“I’m way up stairs, it’s not going to get me,” she said.

“No one leaving, no one’s scared.

“I’m not scared, not at all.”

Local contractors Ross Harper and Mark Bakery were surveying a holiday home for a client when waters started creeping up to the waterside dwelling.

Mr Harper said it was business as usual for locals.

“I just feel sorry for the folks up north, they’ve lost everything,” he said.

“We’re a little bit higher here, so it’s not as bad.”

Mr Harper was critical of what he saw as a belated decision by the Shoalhaven City Council to open the heads at Shoalhaven Heads to allow bay water to flow into the ocean.

The Shoalhaven Heads opening on March 3. Picture: Jess Zealand

He suggested the heads should be open all of the time.

“Why don’t they have them open all of the time,” he said.

“They leave it open to the last minute all of the time.

“Every time something happens down here… during the fires, they didn’t back burn in time.”

While streets were busy, NSW RFS and SES crews were highly active, surveying the rising waters.

The evacuation order was given by NSW SES shortly after 11am on Tuesday, with homeowners on 23 roads in the region being affected.

Shelters had been set up at Sussex Inlet Bowling Club and Bomaderry Bowling Club.

NSW SES warned that once floodwaters entered those areas, properties would be flooded.

“Road access will be lost, as well as sewerage lines and power to the area” according to NSW SES.

“If you remain in the area after midday, you will be trapped and it may be too dangerous for NSW SES to rescue you.”

In Sussex Inlet, residents were warned once the flood levels reach 1.4m, parts of the area would be isolated, possibly without power.

Parts Sussex Inlet could become isolated as floodwaters rise. Picture: Nathan Schmidt

The full list of affected roads in the area are River Rd, Cater Crs, Banksia St, Fairview Crs, Nielson Ln, Wunda Ave, Jacobs Dr, Poole Ave, Ellmoos Ave, and Sussex Inlet Rd.

In St Georges Basin, the affected roads are The Park Dr, Mountains St, Larmer Ave, the eastern side of Fairway Dr, Walmer Ave, Sanctuary Point Rd, Old Erowal Bay, Page St, McGowen St, Prentice Ave, Island Point Rd, Graham Ave, and Loraylin Ave.

Residents in areas nearby to those affected are advised by NSW SES to be on alert.