9.30AM UPDATE: It looks like the Milton Ulladulla area has weathered the high winds overnight. The NSW Ambulance Service is reminding people, yet again, to stay safe on roads today. Severe weather conditions cause dangers on our roads including falling or flying debris, power lines and traffic hazards like outages or impediments on the road, creating hazardous driving conditions.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
8.30PM: While the wind is still howling throughout Milton Ulladulla, it seems to have calmed enough to allow most residents to get on with a normal night at home. While the Times hopes it stays quiet for the night, we would like to hear from anyone with a weather story. Email your stories and photos through to karisa.mccauley@fairfaxmedia.com.au to have them added to our coverage or connect with us on our Facebook page. And remember, the wonderful volunteers at the SES are available to help in emergencies on 132 500.
5.25PM: The winds have eased slightly for the local area but the SES is still urging people to ensure their home is ready for the night and to stay indoors as much as possible. With the cold weather, it's the perfect night to snuggle up with a home cooked meal, or take-away from a local food provider, and spend some quality time with your loved ones.
4.15PM: The South Coast Register are also live blogging the winds. Read the news about how Nowra and surrounds are fairing here.
4.10PM: Power is slowly being returned to local homes with reports it is back on in Mollymook, but with the wind forecast to stick around for a while yet, further outages may be experienced. Local residents are reminded to stay safe and, if in need of emergency assistance, to contact the NSW SES on 132 500.
4PM: Times senior journalist Katrina Condie wrote a very fitting editorial for tomorrow's Times about the important role SES volunteers play in times of winds and wild weather. You can read it online here. With a wild night ahead, be sure to take a minute to think of the volunteers out there facing the chaotic conditions to help their community.
The Ulladulla Police are reporting that local roads are currently clear, but reminding residents to drive with extra caution. Debris on roads and the high winds make driving hazardous and police recommend people avoid unnecessary travel.
3.55PM: Donna Doyle in Village Drive, Ulladulla, has had SES crews in her backyard this afternoon clearing away material from a neighbours roof which was blown into her yard. The roof had come off a home damaged by fire earlier this year.
3.45PM: Shoalhaven City Council manually opened Tabourie Lake to the sea this morning. Wwith heavy winds sure to whip up big seas, the question is, how long will the opening last? Read more about the Tabourie Lake opening in our news story now online.
3.40PM: The Times team just breathed a big sigh of relief - we've sent to the paper off to our printers safely! We would hate to let the wind and power outages get in the way of everyone's favourite Wednesday read. The Times will be on supermarket and newsagent shelves first thing tomorrow morning.
Batemans Bay is also facing the rough winds. A houseboat was lodged under the Batemans Bay Bridge on the Clyde River this afternoon. It is believed that the boat was unoccupied at the time and broke from it's mooring when the wind picked up. A reporter was on the scene at 2.45, at that time there was someone on the boat but it was still lodged under Roads and Maritime Services scaffolding that was placed on the bridge for bridge works.
Read more about the boat and see more photos from the Bay Post here.
The sign promoting the Ulladulla Civic Centre has reportedly been damaged in the winds. The Times is not sure whether it has blown away or been brought inside in time to save it, but we have reports it was torn earlier today. Thankfully Shoalhaven City Council will have plenty on time to clean up before this Saturday's big opening day. Read more about the opening online or in tomorrow's Times.
Power is now out in: Forrest Way.
3.30PM: With the list of streets with no power growing by the minute, it looks like most of Mollymook and Narrawallee along with sections of Milton and Ulladulla are now without any power. It looks like it will be a long night ahead for the local SES volunteers.
3.25PM: The Mollymook Surf Club's recent renovations may be in danger after a tree has reportedly crashed onto the roof. Fingers crossed there is no damage to the club.
Power is now out in: Yarrwonga Drive, Tallwood Ave, Illett Street, Oxley Cres, Valley Drive and Gemini Way.
3.20PM: Reports of an overturned boat in waters off Ulladulla have proved to be something more gruesome. Thankfully there is no boat in danger - the sightings have actually been a dead whale spotted floating belly up. The whale was last confirmed at 1.30pm in waters off Mollymook but is now believed to be moving south past Ulladulla.
We have further reports that power is out in: Combe Drive Mollymook, Timbs Street, Princes Highway at north Ulladulla. Facebook readers have also indicated that Milton is facing power outages in some areas as well.
3.10PM: St Mary's School in Milton is without power.
Fishermans Paradise Road power is out.
Power surges and brief outages are being experienced in Lake Conjola and Manyana.
Power is out in Leo Drive and Sapphire Close in Narrawallee.
Rosella Avenue in Mollymook has power out too.
3PM: Village Drive, Ulladulla, has also lost all power.
At some stage between 11am and 1pm the door at Target has smashed in the wind.
Mollymook Bowling Club has lost all power.
2:50PM: The Times has reports of power outs in Mollymook.
Reports are also coming in of power outages in Matron Porter Drive in Narrawallee and of fences being blown flat in Dowling Street Ulladulla.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for damaging winds and blizzard conditions for people in the Metropolitan, Hunter, Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, South West Slopes, Snowy Mountains and Australian Capital Territory.
Damaging winds around 60 to 80 km/h with peak gusts of 90 to 110 km/h are forecast. Alpine Peaks may experience winds around 90 to 110 km/h with peak gusts around 130 km/h.
A warning to all Sheep Graziers of the Australian Capital Territory, Riverina, Northern Tablelands, South Coast, Illawarra, Central West Slopes & Plains, South West Slopes, Snowy Mountains, Southern Tablelands and Central Tablelands is also in place.
Sheep Graziers are warned that cold temperatures, showers and strong westerly winds are expected during Monday and Tuesday. There is a high risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions.
The State Emergency Service has advised people to:
*Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
*Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
*Keep clear of fallen power lines.
*Bring children and pets indoors
*Make sure you roof is in good repair
If you require emergency assistance caused by the damaging wind conditions, please call the NSW SES on 132 500. If the situation is life threatening call triple zero (000).