Emergency crews cleared a tree off the road in the Eurobodalla this morning. Photo: Kim Treasure.
More wild weather is set to lash the south-east of Australia today (2 July), the Bureau of Meteorology warns.
In a severe weather warning issued about 4 am, the bureau (BoM) warned of more damaging winds and heavy rainfall for the ACT, South Coast, Southern Tablelands, Snowy Mountains, South West Slopes and Illawarra regions.
Over the past 24 hours, a vigorous coastal low-pressure system has been tracking northeastwards towards the Tasman Sea, bringing plenty of rain and powerful wind gusts all up the east coast to southern Queensland.
Up to 108 mm was recorded at Nowra on the South Coast, 133 mm at Morton in the Southern Highlands and 112 mm at Currarong in the Shoalhaven.
Widespread rainfall totals reached 150 mm overnight, with falls exceeding 200 mm at Ulladulla.
Meanwhile, gusts of 100 km/h at Jervis Bay, 104 km/h at Ulladulla and 91 km/h at Wollongong and Kiama were recorded last night.
About 200 properties near Burrill Lake were impacted by flooding – some of them to over floor level – while NSW State Emergency Services (SES) crews received a surge of callouts from around the Shoalhaven overnight due to fallen trees, powerlines and damaged roofs. Burrill Lake, Lake Conjola, and Lake Tabourie remain under flood watches.
Residents from Jervis Bay to Batemans Bay have also been advised to stay indoors.
All up, the agency has responded to more than 2000 incidents across the state, most in the Central Coast and Newcastle regions, but increasingly around Sydney and the Illawarra.
Things are calmer in the ACT, where SES volunteers have received about 20 requests for assistance, mostly to do with downed trees. Only a small number of jobs remain outstanding as of this morning.
A small section of Rivett, in the ACT’s Weston Creek district, has also lost power.
The severe weather warning area for today (2 July). Image: BoM.
The BoM has warned of the possibility of flash flooding for the South Coast between Nowra and Bega and inland to Braidwood, where six-hour rainfall totals between 50 and 80 mm are likely, along with isolated patches of 120 mm.
Damaging winds of between 60 and 70 km/h are also expected to continue along the South Coast and gusts of around 90 km/h for parts of the Snowy Mountains and southern ACT.
Rain is expected to ease this afternoon.
“Impacts associated with the complex low will likely be on an easing trend during Thursday, but pulses of increased winds and rainfall associated with this system could continue to impact areas of eastern NSW,” the BoM says.
Canberra today will reach a maximum temperature of 13 degrees Celsius, and can expect between 1 and 20 mm of rain. Winds will range from 25 to 35 km/h, but should calm by late morning.
Showers will ease over tomorrow (3 July), when the daytime temperature reaches 14 degrees and winds die down to between 15 and 25 km/h.
The rest of the week is expected to be partly cloudy with morning frosts.
Much of the South Coast will continue to be hit by heavy rain and strong wings throughout today, easing slightly tomorrow to between 4 and 20 mm of rain and 20-30 km/h wind gusts. Sunny weather and light winds return on Friday, with a maximum temperature of 17 degrees.
The BoM warns against rock fishing, swimming and surfing over the next two days due to large and powerful surf conditions.
Waves battering the Moryua breakwater. Photo: Alex Rea.
The SES advises that people:
- Don’t drive, ride or walk through flood water
- Keep clear of creeks and storm drains
- If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue
- Be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid. It may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks
- Move vehicles under cover or away from trees
- Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony
- Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences
- Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.
The BoM will update its warning at 11 am.
Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill. For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.
