Skip to main content
Severe weather update: increased rainfall causing further flooding across Tuggerah Lakes and Hawkesbury River

Published On

04/07/2022

The severe weather event impacting the Central Coast has brought increased heavy rainfall, damaging winds, dangerous ocean conditions and increased flooding overnight on Monday 4 July and into the morning on Tuesday 5 July 2022.

Council is working closely alongside the NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES), and is continuing its close monitoring of lakes, waterways, beaches and roads for flooding and storm impacts.

Council is urging the community to follow the advice provided by the lead response agency NSW SES and stay informed as this weather event evolves.

Major flooding occurring at Hawkesbury River

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has confirmed major flooding is occurring at Sackville, Lower Portland and Wisemans Ferry at levels higher than the March 2022 flood. Further rises are possible, which will record this current event as the largest flood on the Hawkesbury in 50 years. 

The NSW SES flood evacuation order (advice to leave immediately) remains in place for residents and visitors in the following locations: Wisemans Ferry, Gunderman, Spencer, Lower Mangrove, Glenworth Valley, Wendoree Park, Marlow, Bar Point. 

People in these regions are urged to relocate to higher ground immediately due to potential further inundation and to avoid isolation. Storm and flood impacts may continue to interrupt essential services such as electricity, phones, internet, water and sewerage. 

Council is urging the community to avoid these areas as significant flooding is occurring and debris may be present over roads. Please follow all signage and NEVER enter or drive through flood waters. 

For emergency help in floods and storms, call NSW SES on 132 500. If life-threatening, call 000 (Triple Zero).

People in these areas need to closely monitor weather at the BoM’s website and road closures on Council’s website or via www.livetraffic.com. Make informed decisions early based on individual circumstances. 

Evacuation centres

For evacuated community members who require temporary shelter, evacuation centres have been established at:

  • Gosford RSL, 26 Central Coast Hwy, West Gosford NSW 2250 – open from Monday 4 July 2022
  • Diggers at The Entrance, 315 The Entrance Rd, Long Jetty NSW 2261 – open from 2pm Tuesday 5 July 2022

Major flood warning for Tuggerah Lakes

BoM has updated its flood warning to ‘major’ as heavy and continuing rainfall since Saturday 2 July 2022 has caused significant river level rises along the Wyong River and its tributaries which feed into Tuggerah Lakes. 

Tuggerah Lake at Long Jetty was expected to exceed the moderate flood level (1.30m) on Tuesday (5 July) morning. BoM predicts the river level may reach around 1.6m by Tuesday (5 July) evening causing major flooding.

NSW SES has issued an evacuation order (advice to leave immediately) directing people within low-lying areas of Tuggerah Lakes and Budgewoi to evacuate the high danger area as waters may continue to rise in these areas and potentially inundate homes. 

The evacuation order applies to low-lying areas of: The Entrance, Long Jetty, Berkeley Vale, Chittaway Bay, Tacoma South, Tacoma, Wyongah, Tuggerawong, Rocky Point, Blue Haven, Budgewoi, Buff Point, Charmhaven, Gorokan, Lake Haven, Rocky Point, San Remo, Canton Beach and Toukley. 

As flood water inundates the area, road access, water, sewerage, power, phones and internet may be lost.

Flood Safety Advice

In life threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately. If you require rescue, assistance to evacuate or other emergency help, ring NSW SES on 132 500.

  • Avoid drowning. Stay out of rising water, seek refuge in the highest available place.
  • Prevent damage to your vehicle. Move it under cover, away from areas likely to flood.
  • Avoid being swept away. Stay out of fast-flowing creeks and storm drains.
  • Never drive, ride or walk through flood water. Flood water can be deceptive and dangerous.

Residents and visitors in low-lying areas around Tuggerah Lakes should follow the advice of NSW SES. 

For emergency help in floods and storms, call NSW SES on 132 500. If life-threatening, call 000 (Triple Zero).

People in these areas need to closely monitor weather at the BoM’s website and road closures on Council’s website or via www.livetraffic.com. Make informed decisions early based on individual circumstances. For information on how to prepare for weather events, go to the NSW SES website.

Image from Council’s Online Flood Mapping Tool (available to the public via Council’s website) which shows inundation of Chittaway Point at a major flood level of 1.6m at Tuggerah Lake.
Image from Council’s Online Flood Mapping Tool (available to the public via Council’s website) which shows inundation of Chittaway Point at a major flood level of 1.6m at Tuggerah Lake. 

Widening of The Entrance Channel

With increased rainfall overnight increasing predicted flood peaks beyond the moderate flood level of 1.3m, in accordance with Council’s Entrance Management procedure, staff have deployed heavy machinery to the Karagi Sandspit at North Entrance this morning. They will undertake berm management works to lower the berm further at the southern end of the sandspit. The Entrance Channel is currently open.

Coastal lagoons and beaches

All lagoons are open (Avoca, Cockrone, Terrigal and Wamberal). Wamberal and Cockrone opened naturally during the day on Monday 4 July. Council crews and lifeguards were in attendance to assist. Terrigal lagoon is overtopping the sand berm as of Tuesday morning (5 July). 

Coastal Erosion 

Council staff have been closely monitoring for coastal erosion along our beaches. Some erosion has been noted at North Entrance and Lakes Beach. No significant erosion has been recorded at Wamberal as of Tuesday (5 July) 9am, and Council will continue to monitor surf and swells for any further impacts.

Road closures

As heavy rainfall continues across the Central Coast, Council is urging motorists to take extra caution on roads as flash flooding is occurring and debris over roads is present. 

Overnight on Monday 4 July and into the morning of Tuesday 5 July, multiple trees were down across roads and two landslips had been recorded. Council responded to 19 callouts for assistance overnight on Monday 4 July and into the morning on Tuesday 5 July. 

It is critical that the community avoid impacted roads as significant flash flooding is occurring. Please follow all signage and NEVER enter or drive through flood waters. 

For information about local road closures search ‘road closures’ at Council's website: centralcoast.nsw.gov.au and follow Council’s Facebook page for regular updates. For state road and traffic updates visit Live Traffic NSW www.livetraffic.com.

Council will continue to closely monitor the region’s 2,200km road network and respond urgently to remove fallen trees, manage road closures, fix potholes and inspect and repair any other damage as quickly as possible.

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

Community members can report any 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.

Stay safe, informed and vigilant

Council is encouraging the community to stay informed of the evolving situation, look out for neighbours and remain vigilant. 

ENDS
 

Stay up to date
Sign-up for weekly news, events and important information.