Central Coast Council is continuing to closely monitor roads, lakes, waterways and beaches for potential flooding and storm impacts as heavy rainfall and unpredictable weather lash the Coast. 

Council is encouraging the community to remain vigilant and continue taking extra safety precautions during the current weather event.

Waterways and beaches

At 1:15pm today, Tuggerah Lake was recorded at 0.64m following a 2.0m high tide. This is below the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) minor flood level (0.9m).

On Monday 28 February 2022, Council crews began preparations to widen The Entrance Channel, which at its narrowest point, is currently 30 metres. Based on the weather information received from BOM at 11am today, Council crews have commenced works to reduce the size of the sand berm and expand the width of the channel in conjunction with today’s 2pm low tide. These works are precautionary but will further enhance flow prior to the predicted extreme ocean conditions from Wednesday, at which time sand berm modification may not be possible, and in acknowledgement that rainfall forecasts may increase over the next 24 hours as an east coast low develops offshore.

Council crews have worked consistently over the last week opening Wamberal, Terrigal, Avoca and Cockrone lagoons as they reached flood trigger levels. Like Tuggerah Lakes, these lagoons now remain open to the ocean, but wave run up during high tide at lagoon entrances may see these lagoon levels continue to rise and fall over coming days.

A severe weather warning is currently forecasting peak wind gusts of 90km per hour, hazardous surf with swell of 4.5m, and high rainfall, with likely rainfall of 25-50mm for most of the Central Coast throughout the remainder of today. There is currently no specific flood warning for Tuggerah Lakes or any other waterways, creeks and rivers on the Central Coast. The Bureau of Meteorology has advised that a severe thunderstorm warning will be issued if very dangerous thunderstorms with intense rainfall are detected which may cause flash flooding.

Council is doing everything we can to prepare for further impacts of the current weather conditions, however weather predictions can change quickly. Council continues to consistently and closely monitor the weather event and provide ongoing updates. 

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

Roads

In addition to coastal estuary management, Council is closely monitoring the region’s 2,200km road network and responding urgently to fix potholes, remove fallen trees from roads and inspect and repair any other damage as quickly as possible during and following heavy rain. Over the last week alone, Council has repaired over 1,300 potholes among other increasing service requests during this weather period.

Water entering and weakening the underlying road pavement and the added stress of traffic is the main cause of potholes, which is why we see more potholes after periods of heavy rain. 

Council has formed an Emergency Incident Committee, liaising with Transport NSW to collectively address impacts on roads.  

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

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. 

Safety

Council urges the community to take care; don’t drive through flooded waters, avoid swimming in our beaches for 24 hours, and waterways and lagoons for three days after heavy rain, and please exercise extra caution.

Council is urging the community in areas likely to be impacted by flooding to:

• refrain from driving or walking through flood water
• monitor emergency warnings and severe weather updates on local ABC radio, NSW SES Hunter Facebook Page and Bureau of Meteorology website
• raise moveable items such as furniture as high as possible onto benches or tables and place electrical items on top
• if advised by an emergency services officer to evacuate, please do so
• secure outside belongings 
• if required to evacuate, turn off the power and water and take essential medicines and clothes with you
• look out for one another and check in on family, friends and neighbours.

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

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

ENDS