By Riley Walter and Josefine Ganko
More than 100 millimetres of rain could fall across Sydney this week as severe weather sets in along the NSW coastline after strong winds blew a Central Coast kite surfer onto powerlines.
Hazardous surf warnings are in place along the NSW coast from Gosford to Coffs Harbour, with the wild weather expected to continue for several days.
More than 100 millimetres of rain could fall across Sydney this week.Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong
On NSW’s Central Coast, a kite surfer became tangled on power lines at Umina Beach on Monday morning after he lost control amid strong winds.
The 58-year-old man was suspended by the lines before falling about five metres to the ground. He sustained laceration injuries to his face and a likely concussion.
Ambulance Inspector Phil Clark said the man was carried “quite a distance through the air”.
“He’s cleared the beach and become entangled on the power lines on the road that runs along the beach.”
Strong winds caused a 58-year-old kite surfer to become entangled on power lines at Umina Beach.
The man was wearing a helmet and a full-body wetsuit, which Clark said saved him from more serious injury.
“Considering what happened to him, he is a very lucky man”.
NSW Ambulance attended the scene, and CareFlight was called to transport the man to Royal North Shore Hospital, where he remains in a stable condition.
Overnight, almost 60 millimetres of rain was recorded in Terrey Hills in Sydney’s north, where a large tree was downed near powerlines.
In the west, more than 40 millimetres of rain fell at Bankstown across Sunday, while 28 millimetres was recorded at Observatory Hill in Sydney. Wind gusts of 70km/h were recorded at Wattamolla in the Royal National Park.
The heavy rainfall has brought flash flooding to the northern beaches, with a large stretch of the Wakehurst Parkway and The Esplanade in Narrabeen closed to motorists for much of Monday.
Sydney’s Bronte Beach is hit with strong winds and pounding surf.Credit: Steven Siewert
Earlier, ferries between Manly and Circular Quay were cancelled due to the large swell.
The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting up to 20 millimetres of rain to fall on Monday, while up to 100 millimetres combined could fall on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. As much as 35 millimetres could fall on Wednesday.
Senior meteorologist Angus Hines said the heaviest rain was expected between Newcastle and Coffs Harbour, where a severe weather warning is in place. Rainfall could reach between 150 and 200mm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, before the heaviest downpour hits on Thursday.
“If we look out to Thursday, we could be seeing 300mm plus totals around the Hunter and the Mid North Coast,” Hines said.
“It will be a prolonged period of wet weather for NSW.”
Although the daily rainfall totals aren’t extreme, Hines said the “extended nature” of the weather event was significant.
“Having that much rain three or four days in a row can lead to significant flood impacts, road closures and potential for some inundation of homes or properties or businesses around north-eastern NSW.”
The NSW SES responded to almost 350 incidents on Sunday and has carried out eight flood rescues in northern NSW as it prepares for impacts of heavy rainfall, strong winds and hazardous surf in the region.
Slow-moving and heavy rainfall is expected for several days on the Mid North Coast, with minor to moderate flooding expected in coastal catchments. Flood watches are in place for several rivers in the Hunter and Mid North Coast regions, Hines said.
Isolated rainfall of up to 180 millimetres could fall in 24 hours, triggering warnings for motorists to be alert to possible flash flooding. A number of flood warnings are in place across NSW.
Swells could reach up to five metres from Sydney to Port Macquarie. Coastal erosion could affect the already battered Central Coast.
Houses and apartments along Wamberal Beach on the Central Coast will be tested over the next 36 hours.Credit: Dean Sewell
Wind gusts of up to 80 km/h are expected along the coast. A damaging surf warning has been issued from Gosford to Coffs Harbour.
“We could be seeing some very powerful ocean conditions here, which could cause erosion along the coastline, and will also make things dangerous on and near the water for swimming, surfing, going out on the boat, or even fishing or walking along the foreshore,” Hines said.
The wet weather is expected to move away from Australia’s east coast on Saturday.
NSW Premier Chris Minns urged commuters to be patient during possible public transport disruptions.
“When you have that level of rain falling in a confined or short space of time, it’s going to cause disruption,” he said.
“We’re asking people to be patient when it comes through, be aware of how much is expected in the coming days, and for bosses to obviously be understanding of the circumstances.”
with Jessica McSweeney
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