Storm lashing continues along eastern Australia

Sydneysiders have been warned to brace for 12m waves as a severe storm cell continues to wreak havoc.

The break wall at Coffs Harbour marina cops a pounding. Picture Frank Redward

Sydneysiders have been warned to brace for 12m waves as the severe storm cell that smashed the eastern coastline over the weekend continues to wreak havoc as it shifts south to the NSW Bega Valley, Eurobodalla and the Shoalhaven.

More than 500 people were evacuated from storm-damaged homes in the northern NSW coastal towns of Lismore and Coffs Harbour and from Sydney’s northern beaches as torrential rain and damaging winds ripped across the state.

More than 400mm of rain fell in 24 hours to 9am yesterday in northern parts of the state, where long-term averages for the entire month of June are closer to 120mm.

Forecasters are warning that the worst could still hit Sydney, including 12m waves. Giant waves crashed Sydney’s coastline yesterday with a 12m wave recorded at Botany Bay.

Abnormally high tides are predicted all along the state’s coast and five- to seven-metre waves may cause erosion and seawater flooding of low-lying areas.

A spokeswoman for the weather bureau said abnormally high tides and rising river levels were putting low-lying areas in danger last night. “The low-pressure system and the waves are adding to the high tide level, which peak at this time of the year,” she said.

There were “massive waves hitting the beach head-on”.

The intense low-pressure system developed offshore and moved over Queensland, collecting moisture from the warmer waters of the Tasman and Coral seas before hitting land on Saturday.

It moved down to NSW bringing abnormally heavy rain and gale force winds. By 2pm yesterday it was centred off the mid-north coast and it is expected to travel as far south as Tasmania by tomorrow.

Residents in low-lying areas of Milperra in Sydney’s west were last night placed under evacuation. Lansvale, Woronora and Carramar residents remained on standby as the Georges River threatened to burst its banks.

Last night 550 properties were under evacuation orders and 70 people were in centres.

Warnings have been issued for several areas south of Taree along the NSW coast, which are predicted to be pelted by heavy rain and strong winds with flash flooding likely, the Bureau of Meteorology said in its latest severe-weather ­update.

“Widespread rain totals of 100mm are expected, with local areas possibly receiving over 200mm,” the bureau said. “Hourly rain rates up to 70mm may be ­experienced.”

Across Sydney, between 70mm and 90mm of rain has fallen and out west it has been as much as 115mm. The brunt of the storm is yet to hit the Illawarra region, which has in parts already copped 154mm of rain. Power was cut to more than 80,000 homes and businesses.

As the low-pressure system moves south, it is expected to dump another 100mm on the area.

The storm cell caused havoc on the roads, contributing to the deaths of four motorists in 11 hours. The State Emergency Service dealt with 6120 calls for help and said many people couldn’t get through. They carried out more than 100 rescues, about half from cars trapped on submerged roads.

Cattle and horses were also rescued, but 15 miniature horses were reportedly lost on a property near Lismore.

Travellers at Sydney airport were delayed by up to two hours and a raft of domestic weather ­restrictions meant it was likely to be on single runway operations for most of the day.

There were wild scenes on Sydney’s eastern beaches and at Collaroy, in the north, where coastal residents have reportedly lost 5m of their front yards.

Emergency services were yesterday mopping up in Brisbane and the Gold Coast after Saturday’s wild weather.

Some of the heaviest falls were in the Gold Coast hinterland. Beaches were closed.

Authorities were last night searching floodwaters in Leppington in Sydney’s southwest, for a car possibly swept away.