DELUGE: One killed in Warilla

Updated November 6 2012 - 1:45am, first published March 21 2011 - 3:12am
Flooded: Edgeworth Ave, Kannahooka. Photo: JENNY PEET
Flooded: Edgeworth Ave, Kannahooka. Photo: JENNY PEET
Woodford Ave, Warilla. Picture: DAVE TEASE
Woodford Ave, Warilla. Picture: DAVE TEASE
Warilla floods. Picture: DAVE TEASE
Warilla floods. Picture: DAVE TEASE
Woodford Ave, Warilla. Picture DAVE TEASE
Woodford Ave, Warilla. Picture DAVE TEASE
Warilla
Warilla
Horsley
Horsley
Outside Shellharbour Council chambers.
Outside Shellharbour Council chambers.
Bong Bong Rd, Dapto.
Bong Bong Rd, Dapto.
DELUGE: One killed in Warilla
DELUGE: One killed in Warilla

Police have recovered the body of a man from a swollen creek in Warilla about 4pm today.The man, believed to be aged in his 40s, was reportedly swept into a stormwater drain at Oakleigh Park, near Sunset Dr, Warilla, about lunchtime today.Police said the man was yet to be formally identified and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.Despite today's extreme downpour, more flooding water could be on the way to the Illawarra with a high tide due tonight.NSW Maritime advised that a 1.87m tide is due tonight at about 9.30pm.The spokesman said it was a very high tide but not an extreme king tide.The Department of Education has advised parents to collect children from some Illawarra schools following today's heavy rains.Parents should collect children as soon as possible from Koonawara Public School, Mt Kembla Public School, Hayes Park Primary at Dapto and Illawarra Christian Schools at Tongarra and Cordeaux Heights.However parents should not attempt to cross flooded roads to get to their children, no schools have been inundated.Police have advised parents not to collect their children from schools in Albion Park, Dapto, Barrack Heights, Jamberoo, Port Kembla, Shellharbour and Warrawong.Police requested people delay travelling through these areas and delay travel plans until the rain ceases and the water subsides.There have been reports of cars being swept off Avondale Rd, Dapto. Motorists were attempting to reverse out of the water which was said to be rising quickly.At Shellharbour, New Lake Entrance Rd has been cut off by flood water as has Shellharbour Rd.At Kiama a landslip has blocked traffic in both directions on the Princes Hwy on the Kiama bends.According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), between 9am and 3.20pm today, 228mm of rain has fallen on Albion Park and at Kiama, 135mm since 9am.However in the northern suburbs, Bellambi has only received 37mm over the same period.

  • GALLERY: Photos from flooded parts of the Illawarra
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  • For assistance during floods, call the State Emergency Service on 132 500
  • GALLERY: Reader photos of the Illawarra floodsMeanwhile homes have reportedly begun to be inundated with flood waters in Albion Park near Grey St and Fleet Cres.Mobile homes at Lake Windemere Caravan Park Warilla, Shellharbour City Stadium and Warilla Library have also reportedly been flooded.Drivers trying to get in or out of Albion Park have been thwarted with multiple roads flooded.The Illawarra Hwy has been flooded between the Princes Hwy and Tongarra Rd and in Albion Park Rail, flooding has closed the Princes Hwy in both directions.Meantime, one southbound lane on the F6 Freeway at the Northcliffe Dr exit ramp is closed due to flooding.At Cringila, northbound lanes on Five Islands Rd at Emily St have flooded and all lanes of the Illawarra Hwy at Macquarie Pass have been affected by flood water.Drivers were advised to avoid flooded areas.Trains have been suspended between Unanderra and Nowra on the South Coast line due to flooding.Buses are replacing services between Unanderra and Dapto.Buses can not replace trains between Dapto and Kiama because roads in the area have been flooded.A limited bus service is operating between Kiama and Bomaderry (Nowra).Passengers travelling south of Dapto were advised to delay their journey and make alternative arrangements.Passengers can still catch trains between the Sydney CBD and Wollongong/Dapto but there may be some delays due to signalling equipment repairs at Coalcliff.Buses are also continuing to replace trains between Wollongong and Port Kembla due to flooding at Port Kembla.Tomorrow, no trains will operate between Bomaderry and Unanderra.Replacement buses will be provided if the roads are open.Rail staff will inspect the track at 6am tomorrow to assess the extent of repairs requiredVIDEO: Princes Hwy, GerringongBOM forecaster Jake Phillips said a weak trough near the Illawarra Escarpment was causing rain to redevelop and lead to localised flooding.‘‘We’ve got a very thick layer of the atmosphere coming in off the ocean that’s holding a lot of moisture and there has been a weak trough near the coast in the past 24 hours which has triggered the rain even more,’’ he said.‘‘At the moment we’ve got a severe weather warning out for the broader area but also a severe thunderstorm warning as well because there’s a fair bit of lightning associated with these downpours.‘‘It’s not really showing any signs of letting up so the heavy weather is likely to continue through the day and quite likely through the night as well.’’Mr Phillips said the rainfall would probably not be uniform for the entire region but there would be localised flooding.‘‘The likelihood of flooding will increase as the ground cannot soak up all the water and it is forced to run off,’’ he said.‘‘The next 24 hours will be a period to watch closely for heavy falls and there’s a wind change due later tomorrow which will push the rain out to sea. Conditions should ease quite considerably by late tomorrow and by Wednesday should be clear.’’
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