With the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting significant rainfall of up to 80mm into the weekend, Central Coast Council is urging residents to prepare their property and to be ready for potential flash flooding at low lying areas or roads that are typically impacted.
Based on the forecasting we are not expecting water levels to reach the minor flood level at Tuggerah Lakes; however we will continue to monitor The Entrance channel status which is currently open, and no intervention is expected or required at this stage. To understand how various flood levels impact a specific property, residents can check their address on Council's Online Flood Mapping tool.
For our residents in the Spencer, Gunderman and surrounding areas, the NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) has issued Flood Advice to stay alert for minor to moderate flooding over the coming days. The current BOM Flood Warning for the Hawkesbury and Lower Nepean Rivers does not indicate any direct flood concerns for Central Coast localities such as Gunderman and Spencer at this time. Council is closely monitoring a number of sites on Wisemans Ferry Rd and Settlers Rd which have previously been impacted by earlier landslips, and following expert geotechnical advice to ensure user safety. Dependant on rainfall levels and site conditions and following expert geotechnical advice to ensure user safety, these roads may need to be temporarily closed at short notice to ensure the safety of residents and motorists. Road closure notices will be posted on Council's Facebook page.
Please stay informed of the current situation by monitoring warnings issued by NSW SES on their website and Facebook page, listening to the local ABC Central Coast radio station (92.5 FM), and checking the latest weather information from the Bureau of Meteorology online. For those residents in remote areas, please also consider the essentials such as ensuring you have access to fresh water, food and fuel.
Council is on an alert level and continues to watch weather conditions and forecasts, whilst also closely monitoring lakes, waterways, beaches, roads and water and sewer services for impacts. Crews are on standby to be mobilised on the ground as required. Any impacts to Council services, facilities and managed spaces will be shared to the community primarily on Council's social media (Facebook and Twitter).
- Avoid flood waters. Never drive, walk, ride through, play or swim in flood water - it is dangerous, toxic, and may void your car insurance.
- Take caution on wet roads. Please slow down and take care on the wet roads, and avoid roads which are prone to flash flooding. Consider the consequences of road and bridge closures and water over roads and make alternate arrangements for work, children, and travel. Obey all signs about road closures and instructions from emergency services. For information on State managed roads (i.e. main roads such as Central Coast Highway and the M1), download LiveTraffic app or refer to www.livetraffic.com. Council's road closure webpage lists key planned and unplanned Central Coast road closures (for roads under Council's responsibility).
- Stay informed about storm and flood alerts and warnings. The NSW SES is the lead combat agency for flood events in NSW. For flood and storm emergency status, alerts and warnings refer to the NSW SES website or NSW SES Facebook page. Download the Floods Near Me NSW app.
- Stay informed about weather warnings and conditions via the Bureau of Meteorology website.
- Prepare your homes for storms and floods. Follow the checklist in Council's Get Ready Central Coast Guide.
- Water and Sewer. If anyone experiences a sewer system disruption, please call Council immediately on 1300 463 954. For all current water service interruptions please go to our Water Outages webpage.
Building resilience through planning
This is a timely reminder for our community to understand their risks of natural emergency events and have a plan prepared.
Five steps to help prepare for emergency events and severe weather:
- Know your risk - It's important to think about the area you live in, your circumstances and the types of disasters that could affect you. Council has tools and links to a number of resources to help you identify your risks.
- Plan now for what you will do. Ensure you have a current emergency plan in place which considers your risks, abilities and resources, plus an emergency evacuation kit ready to go.
- Get your home or business premises ready. Prepare your property to best withstand emergency events, with general maintenance and checks, and ensure you are adequately insured.
- Be aware and keep informed. Find out in advance where to find critical information in the lead up to, or during, an emergency event.
- Look out for each other. Don't wait for an emergency to build community networks with neighbours. Get to know each other now, share your plans with neighbours, friends and family and identify your community strengths and weaknesses to be able to plan for them in advance.
For information and resources on preparing for emergency weather events, go online to centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/emergencies
Where to go for help during storms and floods
- In life-threatening emergencies, or for urgent help from Police, Fire or Ambulance services call 000 (Triple Zero).
- For emergency help in floods, storms and tsunamis call NSW SES on 132 500, 24 hours 7 days a week. You can also contact SES if you have experienced damage from storms, wind, hail or a fallen tree and if a tree branch is threatening your property or a person's safety.
- To report urgent issues, such as water, sewer, road hazards, or to contact rangers in an emergency, please call Council on 1300 463 954. Council has an emergency on-call service available for out-of-hours. Non-urgent enquiries, requests, and reports can be made to Council at any time through the online Customer Service Centre 24/7 at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au
