A severe weather warning remains in place for damaging winds on Saturday after a wild and windy end to the working week on Friday.
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People in the Illawarra and many other parts of the state are being warned of vigorous winds on Saturday.
The Bureau of Meteorology says it is being driven by a deep low pressure system south of the Bight which will move slowly east over the next few days.
A series of troughs and cold fronts associated with the low are forecast to cross south-east Australia bringing a vigorous westerly airflow to the region.
Damaging winds averaging 60 to 70 km/h with gusts in excess of 90km/h, are likely to continue on Saturday with the Illawarra and Shoalhaven among the locations likely to be impacted.
On Friday afternoon at 3.13pm Bellambi recorded a 96km/h wind gust after Port Kembla recorded 100km/h winds at 12:37pm during a gusty thunderstorm.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
- Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
- Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
- Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
- Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.
- Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.
- Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
- For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.
There is also a marine weather warning for gale force winds along the Illawarra Coast.
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