Beachgoers have again been warned to exercise extreme caution as the remnants of ex-tropical cyclone Seth continues to batter Illawarra coast, after numerous rescues were made on Monday by volunteer life savers.
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A hazardous surf warning is currently in place from the Illawarra coast up north to Byron, with large and powerful surf and swell conditions expected to be dangerous for rock fishing, boating, and swimming.
All of Shellhabour's beaches are currently closed due to hazardous surf conditions. The Beverley Whitfield Ocean Pool in Shellharbour Village is also closed - though Albion Park, Warilla and Oak Flats pools are open.
The Bureau of Meteorology said ex-tropical cyclone Seth over the southern Coral Sea is the cause of the large and powerful conditions.
"This system is forecast to adopt a west to northwesterly track, approaching the Queensland coast during the first half of the week," a spokesperson said.
"This system is generating increasing seas and swell, which will coincide with an astronomical peak in high tides over the coming days."
Abnormally high tides, which may cause sea water flooding of low lying areas, are possible for coastal areas.
Water levels could reach or exceed the highest tide of the year by at least 0.1 metres during the morning's high tide on Tuesday and possibly Wednesday mornings.
It comes as Illawarra lifeguards made a number of rescues during hazardous surf conditions on Monday.
"Picture perfect beach conditions, increasing swell size, rip currents, bigger tidal movements [have] again kept volunteer lifesavers busy and rescue ready responding to multiple incidents along the Illawarra region," a spokesman for Surf Life Saving Illawarra said.
"Lifesavers performed hundreds of preventative actions warning the swimming public of dangerous conditions including rip currents and swimming at unpatrolled locations."
Lifesavers at Thirroul and Port Kembla both attended to incidents with patients suffering suspected spinal injuries, while many people needed to be rescued from strong rip currents along the Illawarra coast.
Bellambi life savers assisted Wollongong Police in the search for a missing toddler and a separate incident of a missing surfer - both were thankfully located.
Beachgoers with dislocated shoulders were attended to at Stanwell Park and again Port Kembla on Monday, a volunteer lifesaver was injured when the inflatable rescue boat he was driving rolled in the surf zone at Scarborough/Wombarra beach, while two young children were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics at Stanwell Park after swallowing water in the lagoon late on Monday.
In hazardous surf conditions NSW Police Force, Marine Area Command advise:
- People should consider staying out of the water and avoid walking near surf-exposed areas.
- Rock fishers should avoid coastal rock platforms exposed to the ocean and seek a safe location that is sheltered from the surf.
- Boaters planning to cross shallow water and ocean bars should consider changing or delaying their voyage.
- Boaters already on the water should carry the appropriate safety equipment and wear a lifejacket.
- Boaters should remember to log on with their local Marine Rescue radio base, via VHF Radio or the Marine Rescue APP, and consider their safety management plan.
BEACH SAFETY TIPS
- Always swim between the red and yellow patrol flags, for your nearest patrolled beach check the BeachSafe app or website
- Read the safety signs for information about the beach and ask a lifesaver or lifeguard for safety information
- Always swim with someone else so you can look out for each other, and always supervise children around the water
- Never swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- If you need help in the water, stay calm and attract attention by raising one arm
- In an emergency, dial Triple Zero
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