Central Coast Council is continuing its constant and close monitoring of lakes, waterways, beaches and roads for flooding and storm impacts as an east coast low (ECL) impacts the Coast.

This weather event is a quickly changing situation, and Council remains focused on distributing key information to the community as quickly as possible, while continuing to mobilise crews on the ground.

Early this morning the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) issued a flood evacuation order for residents around Tuggerah Lake and surrounding areas, as well as other low lying areas including Wyong and Yarramalong.

People who live in locations around Tuggerah Lakes are being asked to evacuate. NSW SES are advising the following locations that they need to evacuate due to rising flood water:

• Berkeley Vale
• Chittaway Bay
• Chittaway Point
• Long Jetty
• Tacoma
• Tacoma South
• The Entrance North
• South Tacoma Road
• McDonagh Street
• Pollock Avenue
• Wolseley Avenue
• Panonia Road
• Wyong Aged Care Facility
• Low lying areas around the Wyong Racecourse and the Kooindah Waters Golf Course
• Low lying areas along Allison Road, Old Maitland Road, Yarramalong, Collies Lane, McPherson Road, Gavenlock Road, Mike Jennings Road and River Road
• Gavenlock Road area Pacific Highway (Southern end Anzac Road - northern end McPherson Road to the north)

If you are advised by an emergency services officer to evacuate, please do so. If asked to evacuate, please seek shelter with family and friends in the first instance, or make other accommodation arrangements. If you are unable to find accommodation, an Evacuation Centre is established at:

• Diggers at The Entrance, 315 The Entrance Rd, Long Jetty NSW

For emergency help in floods and storms or urgent assistance for impacted properties, call the NSW SES on 132 500.

In life threatening situations call triple zero (000) immediately.

Council is encouraging all residents and visitors to remain vigilant and follow the latest advice from NSW SES. Please note, in the case of an emergency, Council is not an Emergency Service Provider. Council’s role is to support the lead Emergency Service Provider with resources, people and equipment to assist their emergency and recovery plans.

What residents and visitors need to do

When an ‘Evacuation Warning’ is issued:

• Lift possessions and important items above the predicted flood height
• Leave as early as possible to avoid restricted roads.
• Take pets, essential items, warm clothes, medicines, insurance documents and valuables with you.
• Share this information with family, friends and neighbours and help others where possible.

When an ‘Evacuation Order’ is issued and you leave your house:

• Turn off the electricity and gas at the mains before you leave and turn off and secure any gas bottles
• Take your pets with you
• Never enter or travel through floodwater
• Keep listening to your local radio station for information, updates and advice
• Follow your Home or Business FloodSafe Plan
• Follow all instructions given to you by emergency services

Weather, waterways and beaches

Heavy rainfall remains active across the Coast today. At 9am today, Kincumber has recorded 112mm, Woy Woy 116mm, Norah Head 33mm and Wyong 85mm over a 24 hour period. Gusty southerly winds are forecast for 20-30km per hour during the day, shifting north easterly then easterly 15-20km per hour in the afternoon.

Council is in constant communication with the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) to maintain an accurate understanding of anticipated rainfall, and how this will affect peak lake levels, and will provide updates to the community ongoing.

At 12.15pm today, Tuggerah Lake was recorded at 1.01m following a 1.95m high tide. The lake has now risen above the BOM minor flood level (0.9m). BOM anticipate the moderate flood level (1.3m) will also be exceeded later today, with potential for the major flood level (1.6m) to be reached overnight or into Friday.

At 11.45am today, the Hawkesbury River (at Wisemans Ferry) was recorded at 2.45m and rising, which is currently below the minor flood level (3.5m). However, due to moderate to major flooding upstream at Richmond, Council expects water levels to rise and debris to pass through the Hawkesbury and arrive on Coast beaches in the coming days.

An east-south-east (ESE) swell of 4.2m is forecast for the rest of the day, with dangerous surf conditions and strong gusty winds along the Central Coast region. Council is continually monitoring coastal erosion along the Coast's beaches.

Beach closures are now active at all Central Coast beaches. The Grant McBride baths are currently closed due to dangerous conditions, and the ferry at Wisemans Ferry is closed.

Pollution alerts are currently in place for a number of Central Coast beaches, head to the Beachwatch website for daily pollution forecasts.

Sewer

The severe weather experienced across the Central Coast is causing some overflows from the sewer system.

Some residents in Davistown, West Gosford and St Hubert's Island may experience service interruptions. Residents in these areas are requested to minimise discharge to their sewer system such as helping minimise water usage going down the drain.

Council is in the process of deploying temporary pumping and port-a-loos to locations impacted by system outages, and will continue to monitor and respond as needed.

Council has mobilised additional tanker trucks and contractors to assist, and is also in the process of deploying port-a-loos on Lintern St, Mirreen Ave, Illoura Reserve (cnr of Pine Ave) and Amy St for customers impacted by system outages.

With any blockage or overflow, our primary concern is the health and safety of the public and our environment. Council follows strict procedures to contain and control, then investigate and remediate. The community can let us know about an overflow anytime - day or night - by calling 1300 463 954.

Waste

Weekly kerbside bin collections are continuing as normal however Council’s collection contractor is experiencing some delays for bulk kerbside collection. For properties located on sections of road currently closed to vehicles, kerbside services will resume as soon as the roads re-open and residents should keep their bins on the kerbside (if safe to do so) until they are collected. Collections will continue over the weekend if necessary.

Roads

Council is continuing to closely monitor the region’s 2,200km road network and respond urgently to fix potholes, remove fallen trees from roads and inspect and repair any other damage as quickly as possible. 

Council’s Emergency Incident Committee is continuing to liaise with Transport NSW to collectively address impacts on roads.

Community members can report any potholes or road damage caused by weather events by calling Council on 1300 463 954 or contacting us online via ‘Report an issue’ page on Council’s website.

For information about road closures search ‘road closures’ at Council's website: centralcoast.nsw.gov.au.

For road and traffic updates visit Live Traffic NSW www.livetraffic.com.

ENDS