Weather conditions are expected to ease today, bringing some relief for emergency crews across the Illawarra.
The Bureau of Meterology (BOM) was predicting heavy falls into the early hours of this morning but rain should ease to showers by this afternoon, with a fine day predicted for tomorrow, BOM severe weather forecaster Jake Phillips said.
The State Emergency Service (SES) has had 640 jobs in the Illawarra and South Coast regions since 9am yesterday and a further 42 flood rescues.
Premier to visit flood areas today The latest road closures and train cancellationsSES Region Controller Greg Murphy said Shellharbour City Council area was the worst hit but the heaviest rain was moving further south.
‘‘The Bureau of Meteorology has updated its flood warning for the Bega River which is predicted to peak at 8.4m and is currently falling,’’ he said.
Mr Murphy said only two houses in Bega had to be evacuated overnight but there were a number of flood rescues.
‘‘The weather is expected to ease today but heavy localised falls are still occurring,’’ he said.
For assistance during floods, call the State Emergency Service on 132 500Mr Murphy said the majority of the Illawarra and South Coast SES jobs are expected to be completed today with the help of Fire and Rescue NSW and the Rural Fire Service.
‘‘People should never walk, ride or drive through flood waters, it’s the main cause of drowning deaths from flooding,’’ he said.
By 6am today, Bureau of Meteorology figures showed 249mm of rain had fallen on Albion Park since 9am yesterday; 163mm had fallen at Kiama; 37mm at Nowra and 65mm at Bellambi.
All Wollongong beaches have been closed today because of stormwater run-off, according to Wollongong City Council.
Send us your photos and videos GALLERY: The big wet: The Illawarra floodsGALLERY: Reader photos of the southern suburbs floodsSchools will remain open today provided they are accessible, a Department of Education spokesman has said.
"As of 10pm tonight, no public schools are closed," the spokesman said on Monday night.
"Any closures tomorrow (Tuesday) won't necessarily be because the school is flooded, it will depend on available road access.
"The DET will be advised by the SES of any road closures and will alert media if there are any schools that are inaccessible."
Shellharbour City Council issued a statment today saying Illawarra Regional Airport, Shellharbour City Stadium and Warilla Library have all reopened.
The council's sportsfields remain closed to all sport and training until Friday when they will be reassessed.
The council's staff are assessing flood damage to local roads.
Albion Park pool, Oak Flats pool and the Links Shell Cove are also closed.
Lake Illawarra police urged motorists to drive with extreme caution in the region.
Sergeant John Klepczarek said road conditions in the southern suburbs were likely to be hazardous over the coming days.
‘‘We’re going to have debris on the roads, especially branches and rocks, and we’ll also have pools of water remaining on roads in some places,’’ he said.
He also urged anyone keeping children home from school to ensure they stay away from flood waters.
‘‘I would discourage them from playing in the water,’’ he said.
‘‘It all looks like fun but unfortunately it’s very dangerous.’’
Weather conditions eased late Monday night but more heavy showers were predicted to hit early Tuesday morning.
DELUGE: One killed in Warilla
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