Severe weather warning for Illawarra coast with heavy surf, strong winds

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast very heavy surf to arrive Friday afternoon which could cause localised damage and coastal erosion, while abnormally high tides could cause sea water flooding of low lying areas.

Gale force winds are also expected along the NSW coast from Coffs Harbour down to Eden.

Read more: New figures show South Coast hospital patients losing out on hundreds of hours of care

"A large and intense low pressure system is forecast to deepen over the Tasman Sea today and Saturday, generating very heavy surf along the New South Wales coast," the Bureau's website states.

"This will coincide with abnormally high tides along the coast during this evening and Saturday evening. These conditions should ease on Sunday as the low moves away to the east."

The Bureau advises peak tides on Friday evening at 9:49pm and Saturday evening at 10:40pm "will be the time of greatest risk of coastal erosion and flooding of low lying areas".

People are being asked to stay away from the surf and surf exposed areas.

If you are wanting to watch big waves from dry land, the surf forecast is for 10-12ft at south facing beaches between 8am-12pm on Saturday.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:

We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.