Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology has today released a statement warning that the severe weather warning in place for Sydney Metropolitan, Hunter and Central Coast, Wollongong and Illawarra regions will hold for today and tomorrow.
The weather warning comes off the back of the storm that has been ravaging parts of New South Wales, which has swept away houses and left three dead in Dungog.
The Bureau has cautioned that the regions affected will be suffering from damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and dangerous surf conditions for the remainder of today and into tomorrow.
As these conditions continue, read the following to find out how to stay safe (and dry!).
What is causing the storm?
As to what is causing this vicious storm, the Bureau commented that it was due to “an intense low pressure system, often referred to as an ‘East Coast Low’, combined with a strengthening high pressure ridge over the southern Tasman Sea”.
This pressure system, which was monitored this morning just off the coast of Newcastle, is expected to move south slowly and will stay close to heavily populated areas, such as Newcastle, the Central Coast, Sydney and Wollongong. The Bureau’s meteorologists are hopeful that the pressure system will begin to weaken tonight and tomorrow.
Pictures of the storm by @purplestormgirl, @theteaduchess and @nightravenpie.
How long will it last?
The storm is expected to weaken later today and continue into tomorrow, before easing off completely through the end of the week.
What is expected next?
Damaging and destructive winds have been forecast for the above areas, after winds of up to 135km/ph were recorded at Wattamolla.
The rain will continue to fall heavily over today and tonight, although experts suggest it will not be as heavy as yesterday, which reached up to 300mm in Maitland and Dungog.
The Bureau also recommends that locals avoid activities such as swimming and surfing, as hazardous conditions are being recorded. The heavy surf being experienced in NSW can attributed to the storm and is likely to cause “localised damage and coastal erosion”. Experts suggest checking with NSW SES and Surf Life Saving NSW before attempting any beach or coastal activities.
Flood warnings are also still in place for Hunter River, Hawkesbury and Nepean Rivers, Wyong River and Tuggerah Lake, Lake Macquarie, Paterson and Williams Rivers and Bulahdelah.
What damage is it causing?
The storm has already caused the death of three people in Dungog yesterday, and the flooding that is resulting has cut power to over 20,000 homes. Powerlines have reported to be down, and the destructive winds have torns trees from the ground, as well as damaging some roads further up the coast.
What can I do?
Both the Bureau and The Weekly urge locals and NSW residents to monitor the http://www.bom.gov.au/ website frequently for updated warnings, and tune in to local radio and news broadcasts for updated information.
For storm and flood assistance, contact the NSW SES on 132 500, and for life threatening situations, call Triple Zero (000).
Please see below for the latest NSW weather warnings:
Marine Wind Warning Summary for New South Wales
Gale Warning for the following areas: Sydney Closed Waters, Hunter Coast, Sydney Coast, Illawarra Coast, Batemans Coast and Eden Coast
Strong Wind Warning for the following area: Macquarie Coast
Severe Weather Warning for damaging winds, heavy rainfall and damaging surf for people in the Metropolitan and Illawarra forecast districts
Periods of heavy rain, heavy surf and gusty winds for Sydney and the Illawarra area. Wind and rain have now eased in the Hunter Valley including the Central Coast.
Flood warnings for Hunter River, Hawkesbury and Nepean Rivers, Georges River, Wyong River and Tuggerah Lake, Lake Macquarie, Paterson and Williams Rivers, Bulahdelah.
FloodSafe advice is available at www.ses.nsw.gov.au
