We are continuing our constant and close monitoring of lakes, waterways, beaches and roads for potential flooding and storm impacts, and urging the community to get prepared as more heavy rainfall is forecast.
This is a quickly changing situation and Council's focus is on getting the immediate information out as quickly as possible, and mobilising crews on the ground.
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.
Current situation
Overnight heavy rains have continued and early this morning the NSW SES issued a flood evacuation order for residents around Tuggerah Lake and the 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)
Evacuating
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 has been established.
Evacuation Centre open
- Diggers at The Entrance - 315 The Entrance Rd, Long Jetty NSW
What you 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.
Waterways
Council crews and machinery have been at The Entrance Channel this week to widen the channel, lower the sand berm and establish a pilot channel as a precaution. The pilot channel may not necessarily present an immediate and obvious water flow, however, it is designed to assist water flow if flood conditions eventuate over the coming days.
The moderate flood level may be exceeded over the coming days, which is why we have undertaken these precautionary measures. Council staff are liaising with BOM to get an accurate understanding of anticipated peak lake levels. We will continue to provide updates to the community.
Roads and transport
Roads are closed in:
- Empire Bay
- Jilliby
- Ourimbah
- Umina Beach
- Wisemans Ferry
- Woy Woy
- Yarramalong
Regular road closure and re-opening updates (including after hours and on the weekend) will be posted on road closures website and our Facebook page.
Please obey signs and do not move any road barriers or signage - these are for your own safety and that of others.
Heavy rain is expected to continue. Stay inside if possible. If you need to drive any where please plan extra travel time, take extra care. Never walk, ride or drive through a flooded road.
Water and sewer services
Due to severe weather, we are experiencing some system outages. To assist the recovery effort we have mobilised additional tanker trucks and contractors to assist.
In Davistown we are in the process of deploying port-a-loos on Lintern Street, Mirreen Avenue, Illoura Reserve (corner of Pine Avenue) and Amy Street for customers impacted by system outages.
Some residents in West Gosford and St Hubert's Island may also start to experience service interruptions. If you live in one of these areas, please help minimise discharge to the sewer system, such as reducing water going down the drain.
With any blockage or overflow, our primary concern is the health and safety of the public and our environment. We follow strict procedures to contain and control, then investigate and remediate. You can let us know about an overflow anytime - day or night - by calling 1300 463 954
For all current dam water levels please go to the Love Water website.
For all current water service interruptions please go to the Water outages page of our website.
Beaches
Seas are large with dangerous surf conditions across all Central Coast beaches. Swell is disorganised in the 6-8ft range from the East with strong gusty SE winds.
With current large dangerous sea conditions and large tidal variations do not attempt to access rock platforms to observe sea conditions.
The following beaches are currently closed:
- Avoca
- Copacabana
- Killcare
- Lakes
- Macmasters
- North Avoca
- Ocean Beach
- Shelly
- Soldiers
- Terrigal
- The Entrance
- The Entrance North
- Toowoon Bay
- Umina
- Wamberal
The Grant McBride baths site is currently closed due to dangerous conditions. The ferry at Wisemans Ferry has been closed.
Heavy rain and flooding can cause stormwater run-off and sewage overflows to pollute our lagoons, waterways, rivers, lakes and beaches. We strongly advise everyone to not swim or go in the water:
- at our beaches for at least 24 hours after heavy rain
- at our lagoons, waterways, rivers and lakes at least three days after heavy rain.
Pollution alerts are currently in place for a number of Central Coast beaches, head to the Beachwatch website for daily pollution forecasts.
If you come in contact with our waterways and feel unwell, please seek medical advice from a doctor or hospital. Call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.
Power outages
For updates on power outages across the Coast visit the Ausgrid website or call 13 13 88 for assistance.
Take care out there
Residents and motorists are reminded during storm events to:
- Drive to the conditions of the day.
- Listen to local radio stations for updates and advice.
- Never ride, drive or walk through floodwater - if it's flooded, forget it!
- Avoid swimming and any other recreational contact with the Coast's waterways during (and for a few days after) the current significant rainfall conditions. Extended heavy rainfall increases the risk of our waterways being impacted by pollution due to stormwater run-off, which can be extremely dangerous.
- Call the SES on 13 25 00 for emergency help in floods and storms.
For more information
- For the latest information listen to your local ABC radio station.
- Follow the SES on Facebook or visit the NSW SES website.
- For the latest weather, warnings, rainfall and river heights visit the Bureau of Meteorology website.
- For information on road closures visit the Live Traffic website or the Road closures page of our website.
- For information on beach closures, visit the Beaches page of our website.
- Council emergency updates and latest alerts are on our Facebook page.
