State Emergency Service crews are ready and waiting to respond to any calls for wind-related assistance in the Illawarra as strong winds lash the region.
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A severe weather warning is in place for the Illawarra with damaging winds averaging 60 to 70 km/h with gusts in excess of 90 km/h possible.
As of 8am, SES crews responded to seven calls assistance in the Illawarra since Wednesday.
This morning a big branch has fallen down on Hill Street, Austinmer.
Two residents moved the branch to the side of the road and SES crews are on their way to remove it.
Due to the strong winds, Wollongong City Council closed Whyte's Gully, the Revolve area and the Community Recycling Facility for safety reasons on Thursday.
Large auto-tipper commercial vehicles, including garbage trucks, are still able to get to the tip face but light vehicles will be turned around.
Staff will continue to monitor the winds throughout the day and the sites will reopen when wind conditions ease.
Also, the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District has closed the Albion Park drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic on Thursday due to unsafe weather conditions.
The district apologises for any inconvenience, however the safety of staff and the community is the first priority.
The district will reassess the situation again tomorrow morning.
There are a number of other testing facilities within the Local Health District, including the free community COVID-19 Assessment Clinics located at Wollongong, Shellharbour and Shoalhaven Hospitals.
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