While the rain has eased and floodwaters have peaked we are through the worst of it. Floodwaters are expected to continue to have a major impact on the region. We'll update you with the latest here. Please refresh for updates.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
11.25AM:
How many people evacuated?
When the flood warning came through on Tuesday the SES doorknocked about 70 houses in properties they knew would be affected.
SES Shoalhaven incident controller Mark Kiely said at the most only ten people went to the evacuation centre at Sussex Inlet for a hot meal and went home again.
“As far as I’m aware no body went to the evacuation centre at Shoalhaven Heads and only one person went to the centre at St Georges Basin.
He said two of the risks people were exposed to by not evacuating were electricity and effluent in the water.
10.36AM: Shoalhaven City Council has moved into the clean-up and recovery phase, according to Mayor Joanna Gash.
“Council staff have already commenced urgent pothole patching in some of the worst affected areas,” she said.
“While the patching may fail in the coming weeks it is imperative that council undertakes these urgent works to ensure the safety of the community in the short term.
“Shoalhaven Water staff are continuing to monitor and respond to major flooding and impacts on the local sewer system and pumping stations.
“Council staff will also continue to monitor a number of landslips affecting local property and roads while still maintaining a presence in the Emergency Operations Centre.
“While there is still much work to do, I would like to congratulate council staff and the local emergency response organisations, led by the SES, on their hard work in extremely testing conditions.”
7.59AM: This video was taken three hours after Shoalhaven City Council opened the river at Shoalhaven Heads.
7.50AM: The call has gone out for farmers who can spare fodder for milking cows. Anyone who can spare a couple of bales of hay or some silage can phone Greg Duncan at Dairy Australia on 0477 044 047, DPI on 0411 139 585 or local land services 0428 626 332.
7.30AM: This morning the SES plans to make sure it’s safe to issue an all clear for people to return to their homes.
They will send out an SMS the same as they did for the evacuation, to notify people when it’s all clear to go back to their properties.
Two cars have been rescued from Bolong Road early Thursday morning after they tried to drive through water more than one metre deep.
SES South Coast and Illawarra region controller Greg Murphy told the ABC people were trying to drive through floodwaters while rescue teams were helping others who were stuck.
“If the roads are closed, they’re closed for a reason,” he said.
“Our experience is there are just as many rescues when floodwaters are on their way down as when they are on their way up.
Mr Murphy said there were still about 100 jobs outstanding, most of which were in St Georges Basin and around Nowra.
“We’re putting quite a few resources from out of town into those areas.
“We have people from the mid north coast and the Hunter and Sydney coming down.”
Thursday 7.20AM: Welcome to Thursday morning.
While the rain has stopped, floodwaters have peaked we are through the worst of it. Floodwaters are expected to continue to have a major impact on the region.
For AREA SUMMARIES and WEATHER RADAR, scroll down the page.
- Shoalhaven flooding: reader and Westpac chopper gallery | Photos
- Sanctuary Point resident has 'not seen such a deluge since 1976' | Photos
- Shoalhaven River peak expected Wednesday afternoon | Photos
- Scenic Drive floodwaters trap patient transport vehicle | Photos, video
- Electricity substation catches fire, explodes | Photos, video
- Boats pull moorings, move to safety | Photos
- Deluge drenches Ulladulla district | Photos
- Durras Lake open | Photos
- Weather, flood warnings stand: PHOTOS
Wednesday 7.40pm: Maybe not exactly the South Coast, but check out road closures by clicking here
6.40pm: More than one hundred people gathered at Tuross Head this afternoon to watch Eurobodalla Shire Council open Coila Lake. The lake had reached the level at which the council had determined it should be opened after the heavy rainfall of the past two days. Read more and watch the video
5.45pm: It's a case of when in need ... On Wednesday evening four rooms were taken at Silos Estate in Berry by people stranded due to flooding.
"Silos management were happy the rooms could be used by those in need," a spokesman said.
3.50pm: It's a wait and see approach down at Sussex Inlet at the moment. An evacuation centre was set up at the Sussex Inlet Bowling Club and around 24 people came to the centre over the past 24 hours.
Club manager Vicki Black said some have gone home, while other has chosen to stay. She added other people who have been evacuated might have chosen to stay with friends. At 3.20pm Wednesday afternoon Ms Black said they were not relaxing.
“It has stopped raining and we are now at the mercy of the tides,” she said.
At the St Georges Basin Country Club, another evacuation centre, the situation has been quiet and only two people had come in seeking shelter.
The country club’s evacuation centre, just in case of more flooding later this afternoon and tonight, was also in wait and see mode.
3.39pm: NSW SES crews are currently undertaking a flood rescue for livestock stranded in flood waters.
The SES were called to Kiama Downs around 3:30pm Wednesday to rescue five horses and 20 cattle needing assistance at a property on Thornett Way.
3.30pm: Despite having had more than 400mm of rain in the past few days, believe it or not the one thing Wogamia dairy farmer Dan Cochrane would like is some water.
For his cows that is.
Mr Cochrane’s farm on the banks of the Shoalhaven River, west of Nowra has been inundated as the river has risen, which has created problems with the waterlines and getting water to his troughs for his cattle to drink.
“The rising water has undermined the main that runs through the property and our spur line, which supplies the water is damaged,” he said. Read more.
2.47pm: PHOTOS, video and story from the Ulladulla area. CLICK HERE.
2.30pm: Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Joanna Gash has dismissed rumours the Shoalhaven River Bridge will close this afternoon and confirmed the river was opened at Shoalhaven Heads.
Mayor Gash said local residents had contacted council concerned that the Bridge would be closing at 4pm.
The Mayor said despite the area receiving significant flood water there was no threat to the bridge, saying it would remain permanently open. Read more.
2.26pm: The flood warning for St Georges basin has been graded at moderate to major by the NSW SES.
The lake level at St Georges Basin peaked around 1.79 metres at 11:30am this morning with moderate to major flooding.
Moderate flooding continues at Sussex Inlet where the water level was 1.3 metres and steady at 11:30am this morning. A second and higher peak is expected this afternoon coinciding with the high tide.
At Sussex Inlet the river height is expected to peak at 1.5 metres around 5pm this afternoon coinciding with the high tide.
1.55pm: A tree has fallen on a Rosedale home and more roads are closed as the Eurobodalla continues to feel the effects of wild weather.
Police have attended a holiday home in North Rosedale after a tree fell at lunchtime on Wednesday, August 26.
Meanwhile, roads have been closed as floodwaters rise in the shire's catchments.
Eurobodalla Shire Council reports Shore Street, Moruya, is closed near Moruya Bowling Club.
1.51pm: Jamberoo Mountain Road has reopened after an earlier closure between Jamberoo and the Illawarra Highway. The Illawarra Highway is also now open between Robertson and Tullimbar after being closed earlier due to flooding. However, the Illawarra Highway remains closed in both directions between Croome Lane and Taylor Road at Albion Park.
Additionally, motorists are advised that Moss Vale Road at Barrengarry Mountain will be closed to all motorists other than local residents from 6pm tonight, due to a landslip. The closure will be in place until further notice.
Before 6pm tonight, all light vehicles not exceeding 4.5 tonnes can use Moss Vale Road at Barrengarry Mountain under alternating traffic conditions.
1.33pm: AN electricity substation in Hyam Street, Nowra caught fire and exploded at around 1pm. Power to the area has been cut and Hyam Street is blocked from Bridge Road to Mandalay Avenue.
Fire and rescue crews from Nowra and Shoalhaven used water to try to douse the flames. Three large explosions from the site rocked the area.
1.07pm: The South Coast Lifesaver 23 helicopter has captured some GREAT IMAGES images of the flooding at Lake Conjola. CLICK HERE
1.00pm: About 60 students are being taken by bus from the Berry Sport and Recreation Centre.
The students, understood to be from the far South Coast, were already scheduled to leave on Wednesday, a spokesman from the NSW Office of Sport and Recreation said.
The spokesman said the front of the centre, on Coolangatta Road, is affected by flooding and the buses are accessing it from another entrance at the rear of the property.
12.35pm: THE rising floodwater in the Shoalhaven River has forced a number of boats to pull their moorings, with the two large boats used by the Shoalhaven River Cruises appearing to be locked together.
Around 11am it appeared from the bank the two vessels moored just west of Pig Island had come together in the middle of the raging floodwaters. Read more.
12.30pm: The backyard of a Mollymook home slipped away during Tuesday’s heavy rain.
The landslide occurred in Mitchell Parade on Bannister Head on Tuesday afternoon, and slipped further down the hill overnight.
While the home did not slide, owner Sadhana Goulston said “It was very scary".
State Emergency Service volunteers were onsite on Wednesday morning to assist in stabilising the house and trying to prevent any further damage. Read more.
12.00pm: ABOUT 10.30am on Wednesday morning a hospital patient transport vehicle became stuck in flooded waters over Scenic Drive leading onto Bridge Road with an elderly patient and two staff members on board.
Emergency crews were called to rescue the patient and those in the vehicle.
Crews were going to use a Fire and Rescue inflatable boat to rescue those stranded but instead towed the vehicle out.
11.34am: Brian Challis’s house on Reid Street at Wrights Beach has 20cm of water across its bottom level. And it has risen 8cm since 8am this morning he said.
“I wasn’t here last night, but my daughter came to check it at 4pm and my neighbour did at same at 6pm,” Challis said.
“When I arrived home at 8am this morning, I measured it and the water was at five inches [13cm].
“Since then, it was risen three inches [8cm] and I’m guessing it will come up further still, as we have had light showers here this morning.” Read more.
11.30am: Major diversions are in place for motorists trying to access the coast from the highlands, following in the closure of Macquarie Pass and Jamberoo Mountain Road.
Light vehicles can use Moss Vale Road. Heavy vehicles should use the Hume Highway, Picton Road or the Princes Motorway.
Jamberoo Mountain Road is closed in both directions between Jamberoo and the Illawarra Highway.
Meanwhile, the Illawarra Highway between Croome Lane and Taylor Road at Albion Park remains closed.
The Transport Management Centre says the road will remain closed until further notice. Light vehicles can use Tongarra Road as an alternative route, however it isn't suitable for heavy vehicles.
11.20am: Reader and Westpac chopper PHOTO GALLERY assembled by the South Coast Register. CLICK HERE.
11.10am: SANCTUARY Point resident Narrell Brown had just returned to her The Park Drive home after a quick drive around the village this morning, Wednesday, to see how things were faring.
She said emergency services were monitoring the low lying areas, including Paradise Beach reserve
Her home is safe because it’s on high ground but on one of her regular Facebook posts said the bottom end of The Park Drive, down by Cockcrow Creek, seemed to get the brunt of things each time it flooded.
She added it looked a lot more severe than previous times.
“This is by far the worst they have copped it,” she said in her post. Story and photos HERE.
11.00am: Twenty volunteers from both SES units were in action in the Eurobodalla from 9am to 10pm on Tuesday, performing 42 jobs on Tuesday including 20 jobs in one hour. They are still in the field.
The flood relief, tarping and sandbagging jobs occurred between Tomakin and North Batemans Bay.
“This matched the northern-oriented footprint of the weather.” Read more.
10.45am: Durras Lake has been opened to the sea in heavy rain and Joes Creek, Batemans Bay and Coila Creek are due to be opened later on Wednesday, August 26. Eurobodalla Shire Council opened Durras Lake at about 10pm on Tuesday, August 25.
Severe weather along the coast on Tuesday had Eurobodalla Shire Council readying work crews to open lakes to relieve the impacts of possible flooding.
Crews are onsite at Joes Creek, Batehaven, on Wednesday morning and are expected to open Coila Lake at about 4pm. Read more.
10.38am: Transport Management advises the following roads are currently affected by the weather:
- Gerringong - the Princes Highway southbound off-ramp to Fern Street is closed due to flooding. Motorists are advised to use Belinda Street instead
- Berry - Princes Highway affected by flooding near Albert Street
- Falls Creek - Princes Highway affected by flooding around 1km south of Jervis Bay Road
- Bewong - Princes Highway affected by flooding; speed limit reduced to 40km/h
- Burrawang - Illawarra Highway affected by flooding; speed limit reduced to 40km/h
- Barrengarry Mountain - Moss Vale Road affected by a landslide; alternating traffic conditions in place
- Cambewarra - Moss Vale Road affected by minor landslips and debris on the road between Cambewarra and Beaumont
Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions, follow the direction of emergency services and traffic crews on site, and not attempt to drive through floodwaters.
For the latest information on state roads, visit www.livetraffic.com or call 132 701.
10.35am: Kiama Council engineers and NSW SES have assessed Jerrara Dam and given residents the all clear to return to their homes. The dam, between Kiama and Jamberoo was moved to red alert for failure yesterday due to fears decommissioning work had compromised its safety. The SES says people with access to transport can return to their properties now. If you require assistance returning to your property, contact the NSW SES on 132 500.
10.25am: A number of local clubs and venues offered lodging to anyone stranded by floodwaters or evacuated from their homes last night.
The St Georges Basin Country Club is an evacuation centre and State Emergency Services (SES) is also using the club as a base.
The club was open all Tuesday, in anticipation of having to help people in flood areas.
One couple came to the club Tuesday night and today, Wednesday at 9.30am one person was taking shelter at the club. Read more.
10.10am: The Illawarra Highway remains closed in both directions at Macquarie Pass due to flooding. Light vehicles can use Moss Vale Road however motorists will experience delays as crews are clearing debris after landslips. Heavy vehicles can use the Hume Motorway, Picton Road and the M1 Princes Motorway. Motorists are advised to avoid the area.
Meanwhile - Tongarra Road has reopened westbound in Albion Park Rail, so the road is now open in both directions. Motorists are advised to exercise extreme caution when driving in wet weather conditions. Comprehensive road closure information is available via the links above.
9.55am: About 880 Endeavour Energy customers are without power in the Shoalhaven on Wednesday morning.
A spokeswoman for the company said large trees that had fallen onto power lines near Lake Conjola.
Customers in Bendalong, Burrill Lake, Lake Conjola, Manyana, Mollymook, Ulladulla, Yatte Yattah and Old Erowal Bay have been without power since about 8pm Tuesday.
9.50am: A MODERATE TO MAJOR FLOOD WARNING has been issued for the St Georges Basin:
An additional 20 millimetres of rain has fallen across St Georges Basin between 6am and 9am Wednesday. The Bureau of Meteorology says these falls will result in a slightly higher peak in the lake, causing moderate to major flooding.
Moderate flooding is occurring at Sussex Inlet where the water level was 1.26 metres and steady at 7am this morning. A second peak and higher peak is expected this afternoon coinciding with the high tide.
8.00am: SEVERE WEATHER WARNING STILL CURRENT
A severe weather warning remains in place for the Illawarra and South Coast.
"A small low pressure centre near Sydney coast is very slowly moving north, while a strong high pressure system southeast of the Bight extends a ridge across the southern Tasman Sea," the Bureau of Meteorology said.
"The low is expected to move away from the coast during Wednesday morning and weaken."
Rain, heavy at times which may lead to flash flooding, is forecast for the Illawarra and northern parts of the South Coast on Wednesday. Rain is expected to ease by Wednesday afternoon.
Very heavy surf which may lead to localised damage and coastal erosion is forecast for parts of the Illawarra and South Coast forecast districts. Beach conditions in these areas could be dangerous and people should stay well away from the surf and surf exposed areas.
SUSSEX INLET / ST GEORGES BASIN:
The Bureau of Meteorology forecast issued on Tuesday evening advised that a moderate flood is expected in the St Georges Basin area at approximately 10am today (Wednesday 26/8/15). The SES is directing residents within the streets listed in this warning to evacuate as soon as practical.
It is expected that low lying areas of the following streets will be affected:
- Walmer Avenue
- Loralyn Avenue
- Island Point Road
Do not delay your evacuation. Roads may become be congested or closed. You could become trapped and need rescue. Remaining in flooded areas is dangerous and may place your life at risk.
SHOALHAVEN / NOWRA:
FLOOD modelling so far this morning estimates waters in the Shoalhaven River will peak about 4 metres at 3pm near the Nowra Bridge.
SES controller Mark Kielly said crews were still working on flood models and details, but it was shaping up to be the same peak as floods two years ago.
“So far our modelling shows Terara will peak at 4pm at a height of 3.3 metres,” he said.
“We’ve got about 50 volunteers out in the field all over the place, but the main message is don’t walk, drive or ride through floodwater. If you don’t have to go out don’t,” he said.
The flood level at Nowra Bridge was 3.8 metres at 10:13 am this morning.
Shoalhaven City Council acting environmental services manager Isabelle Ghetti said Nowra, Terara, Shoalhaven Heads and Greenwell Point were all affected with the situation expected to worsen throughout the day.
“The first flood warning for the river was issued last night by the bureau at 11pm with regular updates through the night predicting a worsening flood situation,” Ms Ghetti said.
KIAMA / JERRARA:
Kiama mayor Brian Petschler has stressed to the community that the Jerrara Dam is not in danger of failing. earlier yesterday (Tuesday) the SES had issued a red alert advising the dam was in danger of imminent failure, erring on the side of caution, but subsequent inspections revealed the dam is safe.
Cr Petschler said water was flowing through a large cut in the wall that had been created as part of the decommissioning process.
‘‘I stress the dam is not failing or in danger of failing,’’ Cr Petschler said.
‘‘The dam was largely empty and water is flowing through the gap cut through the wall.
‘‘There is a lot of water now flowing through, but no more than what would be flowing through the spillway if the dam was full. Read more.
ULLADULLA AREA:
A deluge of rain caused landslides, flood damage and road havoc on Tuesday, when the Ulladulla area received more than 170 millimetres of rain in 24 hours from 9am Monday.
Another 115 millimetres fell from 9am Tuesday until 8am Wednesday.
The backyard of a house in Mitchell Parade slipped away and was being stabilised on Tuesday afternoon.
Water was lapping at houses in the low lying areas of Lake Conjola and waters continued to rise despite the lake being opened naturally.
Roads in Lake Conjola were also closed, as well the highway at Bewong.