Residents of Aberglasslyn have been told to avoid floodwaters around Melville Ford Bridge Saturday and to keep abreast of updates from the State Emergency Service as the situation develops.
Melville Ford Bride was closed at the weekend due to inundation, and travellers were told to find an alternate route via Maitland Vale Road to Bolwarra Heights, as parts of the state braced for heavy rainfall.
Minor to major flood warnings were issued Friday for parts of the Lower Hunter and Wollombi Brook with forecasts for heavy rain and thunderstorms throughout the weekend, though conditions were mostly clear over Newcastle for much of Saturday morning.
The NSW SES activated its state emergency operations centre at Homebush Saturday morning in preparations for the forecast inclement weather and the service's acting deputy commissioner, Peter Cotter, said police were prepared and ready to respond during this evolving situation.
Forecasters were expecting heavy rain and thunderstorms across the Hunter Saturday evening and into Sunday morning, coupled with large and powerful surf on the beaches.
Residents of Aberglasslyn have been warned the situation may change quickly Saturday afternoon and were urged to avoid floodwaters.
A severe weather warning has been issued for parts of the Hunter, Central Tablelands, Illawarra and Metropolitan areas with forecasters anticipating damaging winds between 60 and 70 kilometres per hour, heavy rain and possible flash flooding.
Locations which may be affected include Newcastle, Gosford, Sydney, Wollongong, Nowra and Katoomba.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
- Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
- Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
- Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
- Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.
- Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.
- Don't drive, ride or walk through flood water.
- Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
- If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
- Be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid. It may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks.
- After bushfires, heavy rain and the loss of foliage can make the ground soft and heavy, leading to a greater chance of landslides.
- Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
- For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.
The details of this report are developing. It will be updated.
