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10.43pm:
9.45pm: Scammers posing at SES members were claiming to be collecting money for emergency volunteers working in storm-affected areas, emergency services have warned.
9.25pm: A pothole is affecting eastbound traffic on Appin Road at Copperfield Drive in Rosemeadow.
8.56pm: More than 180 schools will be closed tomorrow across Sydney, the Hunter and Illawarra districts. Many of these schools are out of action for a 3rd day due to the severe thunderstorms, brutal winds and flash flooding.
The NSW Department of Education has just published the full list of schools closed on Thursday here.
8.45pm: The Illawarra, Sydney and Newcastle will finally enjoy some benign weather for a few days at least, allowing residents and authorities to begin the massive clean-up.
Days of damaging winds and at times tropical-strength rainfall will make way to mostly dry and even sunny conditions from Thursday afternoon.
Sydney recorded almost 260mm in the 52 hours from Monday morning - the most in 17 years - a record high wave off the NSW coast, and about 36 hours of sustained strong winds at the airport - all from a powerful east coast low that held together much longer than usual.
"Most east coast lows last one to two days, this one made it to two to three," Ben McBurney, a meteorologist with Weatherzone, said. "This was a once-in-a generation system."
SMH
8.20pm: Twelve areas around Sydney and Newcastle have been declared natural disaster zones after the devastating storms and floods that hit the NSW coast on Monday.
Maitland, Dungog, Cessnock, Gosford, Great Lakes, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Pittwater, Port Stephens, Singleton, Warringah and Wyong qualify for disaster assistance.
8.02pm:
7.55pm: While some suburbs remain flooded, others have begun the arduous clean up process, none larger than for those on the coast where sand swept itself into places previously unseen.
Among them Bondi's sand bowl, formerly its skatepark, took on a post-apocalyptic veneer.
7.35pm: Hundreds of residents in Sydney's south west were ordered to evacuate their homes on Wednesday night as the Georges River burst its banks, after heavy rainfall caused dozens of floods across Sydney.
Read more here
7.10pm:
6.50pm: The NSW super storm will be declared a natural disaster by the state government, which has promised financial assistance to the worst-hit areas now contemplating a massive clean-up.
Read more here.
6.35pm: Flooding has closed one northbound lane on Windang Road near Wattle Street at Windang.
6.34pm:
6.26pm:
6.10pm:
5pm: Weatherzone meteorologist Ben McBurney says parts of the Illawarra will still be wet this evening and overnight.
"The southern parts of the Illawarra are looking like they’re probably going to be the wettest over the next 24 or so hours," Mr McBurney told the Mercury a short time ago.
"But, the low is weaking now so overall the wind is slackening off gradually, it’s definitely not a s strong now as it was in the last 36 to 48 hours.
"In terms of rainfall, probably another 20 to 50 millimetres is likely to fall across the next 24 hours in the Illawarra and then we should start seeing fairly rapid easing from tomorrow [Thursday] and by the end [of the week] we should see mostly dry conditions with only a few light showers around the place."
Mr McBurney said the broader low pressure system was off the Illawarra on Wednesday afternoon,
"Compared to yesterday [Tuesday] and Monday afternoon, the low has really weakened substantially so we’re seeing nowhere near as much rain being generated by the system and nowhere near as much wind being generated," he said.
A severe weather warning remains for damaging winds, heavy rainfall and damaging surf remains in place for the Illawarra late on Wednesday afternoon.
4.32pm: There's still disruptions if you're hoping to catch a South Coast Line train home this afternoon.
4.25pm: NSW SES Deputy Commissioner Steve Pearce says just over 10,500 calls have been received since the East Coast Low weather event began and the number continued to increase on Wednesday afternoon.
Deputy Commissioner Pearce says the organisation was receiving an average of 100 calls an hour, with 350 calls an hour received at the event's peak.
"Because it’s been such an avalanche of calls ... not only do we have our call centre here in Wollongong but we’ve opened up a secondary large call centre in Sydney that’s actually more than doubled our capacity to take these calls," he said.
Deputy Commissioner Pearce described the operation as "probably been one of the most challenging" the SES has been involved with in the past 10 years.
"Already we’ve amassed 10,500 requests for assistance right across the state and we’ve executed over 110 flood rescues," he said.
"We need people to understand the dangers of walking, riding or driving through floodwaters."
4.10pm: Gary Darbyshire captured the huge swell off Wollongong at Bulli Beach Cafe earlier on Wednesday. He said winds were gale force and the sand on the beach was being sucked in to the sea.
Video courtesy of Gary Darbyshire.
4.05pm: The Illawarra is now the only region covered by the Bureau of Meteorology's severe weather warning.
According to the BOM, a low pressure system remained centred off the Hunter coast at 2pm Wednesday. The low is expected to remain slow-moving and gradually weaken.
Periods of heavy rainfall and squally winds are still possible through the Illawarra area on Wednesday afternoon, although the widespread sustained gale force winds have eased.
Rain and winds are expected to increase on the South Coast this afternoon and conditions will be closely monitored for severe weather and warnings issued if required.
Overall the most severe conditions have peaked and will continue to ease during Wednesday as the low weakens.
Brief periods of DAMAGING WINDS with peak gusts of 100 km/h are possible at times along the coastal fringe.
Periods of HEAVY RAIN, which may lead to FLASH FLOODING are forecast for parts of the Illawarra districts although conditions will gradually improve this afternoon.
VERY HEAVY SURF, which may lead to localised damage and coastal erosion is forecast for the Illawarra forecast districts. Beach conditions in these areas could be dangerous and people should stay well away from the surf and surf exposed areas.
The Severe Weather Warning for the Sydney Metropolitan district has been cancelled. Showers are continuing; however these are no longer expected to be as heavy and winds have eased. After such high recent rainfall there may still be areas of local flooding occurring.
4pm: Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra and South Coast Gareth Ward has visited NSW SES headquarters in Wollongong for a briefing from Deputy Commissioner Steve Pearce.
"We’ve seen over 10,00 incidents in the last 48 hours, in particular there’s been over a hundred flood rescues," Mr Ward said on Wednesday afternoon.
"It’s very important at these times that people avoid any non-essential travel, particularly in areas that have been affected by flooding.
"Here in the Illawarra, there’s been around 300 calls for assistance and I’m pleased to advise about 250 of those have been met.
‘‘Volunteers from right across the emergency services profile have been working very, very hard to respond to all of the incidents and I’d like to thank them on behalf of the community.
"There is no doubt this is a very, very difficult time for the state, this is a severe weather event and here in the Illawarra and the south-east there is still a severe weather warning".
3.35pm: Kiama Municipal Council has issued a statement saying Jerrara Dam doesn't pose a danger to the public.
The dam, west of Kiama, is currently on an Amber Alert Level.
"As a requirement of Council’s Dam Safety Emergency Plan for Jerrara Dam the SES advise property owners directly below the dam wall that the dam spillway is operating," the statement said.
"Unfortunately the SES text message system used to advise the local property owners has inadvertently forwarded messages to other mobile phones outside this immediate area.
"If you live outside the immediately affected area, and you have received one of these messages please disregard the information."
3.30pm: NSW SES Deputy Commissioner Steve Pearce says Jerrara Dam is "behaving" as it has done in the past, despite a dam failure warning being issued earlier on Wednesday.
"The Jerrara Dam is at an amber alert, now what that does mean is that we will door-knock the residents downstream just in case we need to evacuate them in the worst case scenario," Deputy Commissioner Pearce said.
"But, that [scenario] hasn’t reached there and that would encompass around 12 separate households, I think."
Rising levels at the dam, near Kiama, have sparked warnings in the past, in particular after periods of prolonged wet weather.
3.10pm: Some problems at Wollongong and Thirroul stations for those wanting to use the lift.
3pm: "It's the flash-flooding that's creating the commuter chaos. There's water that's half a metre deep on some of these roads under these showers," Sean Carsons, a senior forecaster at the Bureau of Meteorology said
"As these showers break down, maybe some of that water can drain away."
Read more here.
2.55pm: Here's the latest from the NSW SES:
2.50pm: Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra Gareth Ward has just finished a briefing with NSW SES Deputy Commissioner Steve Pearce at SES headquarters in Wollongong.
2.10pm: Mercury reader Emily Parisi has sent in this picture of large waves breaking over the wave generator at Oilies Beach on Tuesday afternoon.
Have you got a great picture of the wild weather at your place? Send your pictures to andrew.pearson@fairfaxmedia.com.au, tag @illawarramerc on Twitter or post them to the Illawarra Mercury Facebook page and we'll include them in an online gallery.
1.35pm: Illawarra motorists heading towards Sydney are advised road closures are in place between Holsworthy and Lucas Heights due to flooding at Wattle Grove.
Heathcote Road is closed between Infantry Road, Holsworthy, and New Illawarra Road at Lucas Heights.
1.33pm: Reports of a tree down on Picton Road. It is understood to have blocked one lane. More to come.
1.30pm: If you're travelling by plane this afternoon, Sydney Airport says domestic flights are delayed by up to 90 minutes due to the weather and international flights up to 60 minutes behind schedule. The airport advises travellers to check with airlines for the latest flight information.
1.25pm: Still delays on the South Coast Line.
1.05pm: The NSW Transport Management Centre continues to advise public transport passengers and motorists to avoid all non-essential travel across Sydney, the Central Coast and Newcastle due to continuing adverse weather.
TRAINS
South Coast Line - buses are replacing trains between Waterfall and Thirroul and between Kiama and Oak Flats
T2 Airport Line - partially closed between Turrella and Revesby due to flooding at Bardwell Park.
Central Coast & Newcastle Line - buses are replacing trains between Wyong and Hamilton
Hunter Line - closed between Hamilton and Dungog/Scone due to flooding. A limited bus service is running
BUSES
Bus passengers should expect delays throughout Sydney, Central Coast and Newcastle due to local road closures and adverse weather. Go to www.transportnsw.info for disruption information.
ROADS
Illawarra Highway remains closed between Princes Highway and Tongarra Road at Albion Park. Diversions in place and motorists have been told to avoid the area.
Moss Vale Road - flooding is affecting traffic in both directions, 4 to 5 kilometres west of Kangaroo Valley.
1pm: There are some amazing stories among the devastation in the Maitland area, including this baby rescued by paramedics.
12.55pm: Busy few days for SES crews - in the Illawarra and further afield.
12.50pm: This picture just in from Mercury photographer Greg Totman shows a flooded Illawarra Highway at Albion Park. The highway has been closed between Tongarra Road and the Princes Highway since Monday afternoon.
12.40pm: After the Illawarra was drenched on Tuesday night, falls have been persistent but much lighter totals have bee recorded since 9am Wednesday.
Rainfall between 9am and 12.30pm Wednesday:
Albion Park - 3.8mm
Bellambi - 1.2mm
Kiama - 6.8mm
Moss Vale - 4.6mm
Nowra - 0mm
Rainfall totals in the 24 hours to 9am Wednesday:
Albion Park - 67.6mm
Bellambi - 81.8mm
Kiama - 52.0mm
Moss Vale - 46.8mm
Nowra - 78.8mm
12.34pm: Accident cleared on the Princes Highway south of Nowra, man taken to hospital.
12.30pm: TRANSPORT UPDATE
Trains
* South Coast Line - Buses are replacing trains in both directions between Oak Flats and Kiama due to the adverse weather and between Waterfall and Thirroul due to a landslip at Otford.
Passengers are advised to allow plenty of additional travel time. Passengers should listen to announcements and check indicator boards.
Roads
* Illawarra Highway - remains closed between Princes Highway and Tongarra Road at Albion Park. Diversions in place and motorists have been told to avoid the area.
* Moss Vale Road - flooding is affecting traffic in both directions, 4 to 5 kilometres west of Kangaroo Valley.
* Princes Highway - 1 of 2 southbound lanes closed just past the Koorabin Street overpass at Waterfall due to flooding.
* Douglas Park Drive - closed in both directions at Causeway near Douglas Park
12.18pm: Tragic news from the Hunter region, where NSW Police have confirmed a search operation is underway after a vehicle was swept into floodwaters.
Police and emergency services were called to Cessnock Road, Maitland, about 8.50am Wednesday and told a silver hatchback had been swept away and was submerged.
Several people entered the water to assist and they, in turn, had to be rescued. Rescuers were assisted by the Westpac Careflight helicopter; however, the vehicle could not be located.
At this stage, it is believed two people are unaccounted for at the location.
Police are reminding the community never to drive, ride or walk through floodwaters.
12.15pm: The Insurance Council of Australia has declared a "catastrophe" for storm-affected parts of New South Wales, in particular the Central Coast, Hunter, Greater Sydney Metropolitan and Illawarra regions.
As of 7am Wednesday, insurance companies had received more than 19,500 claims, with losses estimated at $129 million.
12.10pm: A message from the Wollongong City SES Unit:
12.05pm: A gale warning is in effect along the Sydney, Illawarra, Batemans and Eden coasts until midnight on Thursday.
11.35am: NSW SES Illawarra South Coast Region volunteers have been called to 305 jobs since Monday morning, the majority of them involving fallen trees and leaking roofs.
Most call-outs have come from Wollongong City, which includes the Illawarra’s northern suburbs.
About 150 area volunteers are working to clear the jobs.
Local units have also sent 15 volunteers to aid the SES effort in Gosford.
11.29am: Update from Shellharbour City Council.
11.27am: Advice to leave work a little early, if you can.
11.25am: Outside the Illawarra, The Maitland Mercury is reporting there are grave fears for two people after a silver Hyundai was completely submerged in water at Fishery Creek.
11.10am: Have you spotted something the Mercury hasn't or got a great picture of the wild weather at your place? Send your pictures to andrew.pearson@fairfaxmedia.com.au, tag @illawarramerc on Twitter or post them to the Illawarra Mercury Facebook page and we'll include them in our online gallery.
Here's one Mercury reader Ann Baker posted to our Facebook page on Tuesday.
11am: Buses are replacing trains in both directions on the South Coast Line between Oak Flats and Kiama due to the adverse weather and between Waterfall and Thirroul in both directions due to a landslip at Otford.
Passengers are advised to allow plenty of additional travel time. Passengers should listen to announcements and check indicator boards.
10.50am: Trees have been uprooted and umbrellas hard to handle, but the Illawarra appears to have been spared the worst of the wild weather that has wreaked havoc elsewhere. Read the full wrap and see the amazing Mercury pictures of Tuesday's weather.
This Fire and Rescue NSW tweet shows the extent of devastation at Dungog in the Hunter, where three people were killed and houses washed away on Tuesday.
10.35am: The NSW SES Kiama Unit will be visiting properties downstream of Jerrara Dam to alert residents of the Amber Alert.
The SES warns residents should monitor the situation and be prepared to evacuate if instructed to do so.
If evacuation is required, a Dam Failure Evacuation Order will be issued by the SES.
For more information listen to local radio or visit www.ses.nsw.gov.au or telephone the SES on 132 500.
To prepare for possible evacuation, the SES says residents should:
- Raise belongings by placing them on tables, beds and benches. Put electrical items on top. You may be able to place light weight items in the roof space.
- Collect together medicines, personal and financial documents, mementos and photos
- If possible, check to see if your neighbours need help
- Make arrangements for care of pets or other animals, or take your pets with you when you evacuate
- Take three days’ supply of clothing and medicines
- Find out where to turn off the electricity and gas
- Continue to listen to a local radio station for updates
10.18am: According to the State Emergency Service, Jerrara Dam near Kiama has reached Amber Alert level.
For those residents downstream of Jerrara Dam, the alert means you should prepare to evacuate. Read more here.
10.15am: Heavy rain and thunderstorms that could lead to flash flooding are still forecast for the Illawarra on Wednesday, although the Bureau of Meteorology says the most severe weather conditions associated with the East Coast Low have peaked.
In its latest severe weather warning, issued just before 10am, the BOM said a low pressure system was centred just off the Hunter coast at 9am.
This low is expected to remain slow-moving and gradually weaken.
Periods of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and squally winds are continuing though the Illawarra and Sydney Metropolitan areas although the widespread sustained gale force winds have eased.
The most severe conditions have peaked and will continue to ease during Wednesday as the low weakens.
Brief periods of DAMAGING WINDS with peak gusts of 100 km/h are possible at times along the coastal fringe.
HEAVY RAIN and THUNDERSTORMS, which may lead to FLASH FLOODING are forecast for parts of the Metropolitan and Illawarra forecast districts although conditions will gradually improve into this afternoon.
VERY HEAVY SURF which may lead to localised damage and coastal erosion is forecast for the Metropolitan and Illawarra forecast districts. Beach conditions in these areas could be dangerous and people should stay well away from the surf and surf exposed areas.
10.05am: If you're heading north, flooding is affecting a number of roads in southern Sydney.
- Heathcote Road is closed in both directions between Illawarra Road and the Princes Highway at Engadine.
- Southbound traffic is using the shoulder to pass water on the Princes Highway below Koorabin Street overpass at Waterfall.
- Audley Weir between Audley Road and Sir Bertram Stevens Drive remains closed in both directions
10am: Reports of a tree down at Halls Road, Helensburgh.
9.50am: The Greater Building Society has closed all of its Illawarra branches and its Nowra branch for the safety of staff and customers.
The Greater’s internet banking, mobile banking, phone banking and ATM network (outside closed branches) are all fully operational.
The Greater’s customer service centre on 1300 651 400 and social media channels are also operational to assist customers with their banking needs.
9.45am: Even these seagulls weren't impressed with the wild weather on Tuesday.
9.30am: The bad weather has seen Port Kembla harbour closed since Monday.
Harbourmaster Kell Dillon said the weather was too dangerous to continue operations.
‘‘I closed the port at midday on Monday and it’s been closed since then,’’ Mr Dillon said.
‘‘We’ve got high seas and high winds, making it dangerous for shipping operations to continue.’’
The port will remain closed on Wednesday and may reopen sometime on Thursday if the weather improves.
9.28am: Rainfall totals in the 24 hours to 9am Wednesday:
Albion Park - 67.6mm
Bellambi - 81.8mm
Kiama - 52.0mm
Moss Vale - 46.8mm
Nowra - 78.8mm
9.25am: Flooding has eased at Burrawang:
9.20am: Kiama council has advised Swamp Road remains closed and road resurfacing works scheduled for Jamberoo Mountain Road have been postponed due to the bad weather.
9.10am: Marine Rescue NSW has appealed to recreational boaters to stay ashore during Wednesday's severe weather.
Commissioner Stacey Tannos said the appalling coastal conditions would make any trip on the water extremely hazardous.
“The huge seas pose a serious risk to the safety of recreational boaters – and that of any emergency crews who would be called to their rescue should they find themselves in danger,” he said.
“Put your safety first. It’s not worth risking your life to head out in this weather.”
From Eden in the south to Trial Bay on the Mid North Coast warnings for Strong Winds, Gale Force and Storm Force have been issued by the Bureau of Meteorology for tomorrow. Winds at these levels range from 26 knots (48 km/h) to 63 knots (116 km/h) and gusts can be up to 40 per cent stronger.
9.05am: Sand and seaweed has been washed up onto the Austinmer beach carpark and walkway promenade after high tides and big swells on Tuesday night.
9am: A severe weather warning for damaging winds, heavy rainfall and damaging surf has been re-issued by the Bureau of Meteorology on Wednesday morning.
According to the bureau, an intense low pressure system was centred just off the Hunter coast near Newcastle at 4am.
The low is expected to remain slow-moving, maintaining vigorous winds, large seas, and periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms.
Conditions are expected to slowly ease during Wednesday as the low weakens.
- Damaging winds averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of 100 km/h are forecast for the coastal fringe.
- Heavy rain and thunderstorms, which may lead to flash flooding are forecast for parts of the Metropolitan, Hunter and Illawarra forecast districts.
- Very heavy surf which may lead to localised damage and coastal erosion is forecast for the Metropolitan, Hunter and Illawarra forecast districts. Beach conditions in these areas could be dangerous and people should stay well away from the surf and surf exposed areas.
8.50am: The Illawarra Highway remains closed in both directions between Tongarra Road and the Princes Highway at Albion Park.
Traffic on the Illawarra Highway between Church street and Sheepwash Road at Burrawang is also affected by flooding.
Flooding is affecting traffic in both directions on Moss Vale Road, 4 to 5 kilometres west of Kangaroo Valley.
8.45am: South Coast Line commuters are being warned of further delays between Otford and Helensburgh due to a fallen tree on the line. Commuters are urged to delay non-essential travel.
Meanwhile, the South Coast Line remains closed between Oak Flats and Bomaderry/Nowra due to adverse weather. Limited buses are replacing services.
8.35am: Police have evacuated a Kiama Downs home following reports of a potential landslide on Tuesday night.
Emergency services were advised of a landslide risk to two homes on Cathedral Rocks Avenue.
Police from Lake Illawarra Local Area Command evacuated an 80-year-old woman from one of the homes. The other home was not occupied.
The resident was assisted by police and is now safe with relatives.
No one was injured during the incident.
8.30am: A two-vehicle accident is affecting northbound traffic on the M1 Princes Motorway just past Appin Road.
8am: Powerlines have been broght down at Coledale Avenue, Coledale just after 6am Wednesday morning with NSW Fire and Rescue asking people to exercise caution in the area.
Meanwhile, NSW Police Media say people are reminded that the Public Information and Inquiry Centre has been activated to support the current severe weather response in NSW.
It is currently open and members of the public can contact the Public Information and Inquiry Centre (PIIC) on 1800 227 228, regarding information on the flood and storm operation across NSW.
Additional information in relation to the flood and severe weather warnings can be viewed on www.emergency.nsw.gov.au.
It should be noted that this inquiry hotline does not replace any emergency hotlines.
For emergency flood calls please call the State Emergency Service on 132 500.