SES crews received 27 calls for help in the Illawarra overnight, with people urged to stay indoors during the predicted severe weather during the next 24 hours.
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Multiple weather warnings are in place with 300 millimetres of rain possible and flood alerts issued for the Illawarra, Shoalhaven River and St Georges Basin.
Overnight to 7.30am on Friday, April 5, Albion Park received 59.8mm of rain, with 35mm in Bellambi and 21.2mm in Kiama.
A vehicle and its occupants were rescued after driving into floodwaters on Taylor Road at Albion Park, while trees were brought down and water leaked into homes.
Predicted weather
The heaviest rainfalls are expected around the Illawarra Escarpment, with damaging winds and peak gusts up to 90km/h possible.
Wollongong and the Illawarra are among the key areas for concern, along with Nowra, Batemans Bay, Sydney, Gosford and Goulburn.
"NSW SES is urging people to stay indoors as damaging winds and heavy rainfall is expected today," SES crews warn.
A trough is forecast to deepen over eastern NSW on Friday and Saturday, under the influence of a slow-moving upper-level low.
Heavy rainfall may lead to flash flooding, forecasters warn.
"Dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding is possible between the Blue Mountains and Narooma from this evening into Saturday morning," SES warns.
Sandbag pick-up points
Bring your own shovel. Sandbags are available from:
- Bellambi Boat Ramp overflow car park (from 8am Friday)
- Fred Finch Park carpark Berkeley (from 9am Friday)
- Fairy Meadow Beach car park (from 10am Friday)
- Albion Park Show Ground (from 10am Friday)
- Myimbarr Soccer Field Car Park, Flinders (from 10am Friday)
- Next to Windang Bowls (end of Judbooley Pde, Windang)
- Dapto Showground (end of Mulda St, Dapto, access between 7am-7pm)
If sandbags are no longer available, bring your own empty heavy-duty garbage/grocery bags, pillowcases, grain bags, or coffee bean hessian sacks to fill up with sand.
Prepare your home
- Secure loose items around your yards which may become projectiles in strong winds
- Prepare an emergency kit and have conversations with your families about what you will do during adverse weather
- Flash flooding can happen quickly and without warnings - if you come across a flooded road, stop and find an alternate route.
- Monitor conditions and take care on the roads.
- Download the Hazards Near Me App to stay up to date with the latest warning information.
- Never ride, walk, play or drive into flood waters.
- Avoid camping in low lying areas
Nadine Morton
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
