Weather conditions and impact update

This page provides information that relates to current weather and ocean condition warnings for the Central Coast, local impacts and Council’s response.

It does not supersede current information from The Bureau of Meteorology for weather and ocean warnings or NSW SES as the lead agency to respond to flood and storm emergencies. To keep informed and for more information on flood and storm preparations, go to the Central Coast disaster dashboard.

• NSW State Emergency Service (SES), is available 24/7 for assistance for residents during flood and storm emergencies. Call 132 500. For emergency status, alerts and warnings refer to the NSW SES website or NSW SES Facebook page, or the local SES unit Facebook pages: NSW SES – Gosford unit (Facebook) and NSW SES – Wyong Unit (Facebook).
• Emergency Services – Police, Fire, Ambulance. In a life-threatening emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Throughout weather events which impact the Central Coast, Council’s focus is on community safety and distributing key information as quickly as possible. In addition, we are continuing our constant and close monitoring of lakes, waterways, beaches and roads for flooding and storm impacts, whilst mobilising crews on the ground as required.

CURRENT SITUATON

Last updated: Monday 4 July 2022

A severe weather event impacting the Central Coast has caused heavy rainfall, localised flooding and dangerous ocean conditions, including minor to moderate flooding in Lower Hawkesbury River area and minor flooding expected at Tuggerah Lakes.

• Tuggerah Lake Flood Advice – NSW SES has advised that minor flooding is likely at Long Jetty by Monday afternoon (4 July). Tuggerah Lake at Long Jetty is likely to exceed the minor flood level (0.90 metres) Monday afternoon. Water levels may reach near 1.10 metres around Tuesday morning, with minor flooding. There may be possible inundation of properties in Lake Edge Berkeley Vale. There is currently water over road at Geoffrey Road and Vesta Close at Chittaway Point. Residents in low lying areas around Tuggerah Lakes should prepare their properties for possible inundation.
• Moderate to major flood warning for Hawkesbury River – The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) is predicting moderate to major flooding along the Hawkesbury River and the NSW SES has issued a flood evacuation order (advice to leave immediately) for people in low-lying areas around this region. Residents at low-lying areas of the following locations should relocate to higher ground due to possible inundation and to avoid isolation: Wisemans Ferry, Gunderman, Spencer, Lower Mangrove, Glenworth Valley, Wendoree Park, Marlow, Bar Point. NSW SES has advised numerous roads in the area will close and later evacuation may not be possible. Low lying properties will experience impacts due to flash flooding and/or riverine flooding. Wisemans ferry service is currently not running.

For the latest weather warnings and conditions go to the Bureau of Meteorology website

Be prepared and stay informed:

• People in low lying areas prone to flooding need to closely monitor weather (BOM) and road closures (on Council’s website or via https://www.livetraffic.com.auand make informed decisions early based on individual circumstances. Storm and flood impacts may interrupt essential services such as electricity, phones, internet, water and sewerage. For information on how to prepare for weather events, go to NSW SES web page on ‘how to prepare your home‘.
• EVACUATION CENTRE – For evacuated community members who require temporary shelter, an evacuation centre has been established at Gosford RSL, 26 Central Coast Hwy, West Gosford NSW 2250.
• SANDBAGS – Sand and empty sandbags are available from NSW SES Wyong Unit (Levitt St Wyong) and NSW SES Gosford Unit (Pateman Rd Erina) – please bring a shovel. Some sandbags are pre-filled, however quantity is variable so advice if to bring a shovel to fill our own if required.

Waterways and beaches

• TUGGERAH LAKES. Tuggerah Lakes are likely to exceed the minor flood level (0.90 metres) Monday afternoon. Water levels may reach near 1.10 metres around Tuesday morning, with minor flooding. Further rises are possible.
• The ENTRANCE CHANNEL – The Entrance Channel remains open. No intervention of the channel is proposed unless flood levels are expected to reach the Moderate Flood level of 1.3m. No modelling at present suggests that the 1.3m level will be exceeded.
• COASTAL LAGOONS. All of the Coastal Lagoons on the Central Coast are now open. Terrigal Lagoon levels may still see some fluctuation depending on ocean conditions.
• COASTAL EROSION. Council staff have inspected areas susceptible to coastal erosion and have not identified any major new impacts. The most severe conditions for coastal erosion for this event occurred on Sunday evening, and we do not expect conditions that are forecast for the remainder of the week to create further issues.
• SOUTH TACOMA WYONG RIVER – As the lower Wyong River rises to levels exceeding 1.0m, we can expect to see some inundation of South Tacoma Road. South Tacoma residents should expect that road access may not be available from later this evening Monday 4 July 2022, and are advised to prepare accordingly. For information on how to prepare for weather events, go to NSW SES web page on ‘how to prepare your home’.
• SURF CONDITIONS – Surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming, and surfing.
• BE SAFE – Avoid swimming and any other recreational contact with the Coast’s waterways during (and for a few days after) significant rainfall due to increased risk of pollution from stormwater run-off and large submerged objects washed into waterways that could potentially cause injury. For more information and to see daily pollution forecasts go to the Beachwatch website.
• BEACHES – To see the open/close status of Central Coast beaches go to Council’s beach status web page.

Roads

• Please take extra caution on roads as flash flooding is occurring and there is debris over the roads, obey all signage and never drive through flood waters or through closed roads.
• View local road closures on Council’s ‘road closure’ web page. For road and traffic updates visit Live Traffic NSW www.livetraffic.com
• FALLING TREE ALERT – Following a period of heavy rain, a tree’s root system can be compromised as the soil becomes saturated. Be on alert for high wind predictions and subsequent tree falls. Fallen trees over roads can be reported to Council. For emergency help regarding trees down on private property call the NSW SES on 132 500 or visit their website www.ses.nsw.gov.au for information on how to plan and prepare for storm or flooding emergencies. For fallen powerlines or trees on powerlines please call AUSGRID on 13 13 88. Please do not go anywhere near fallen trees as they are often tangled with powerlines and can be extremely dangerous.
• POSSIBLE LANDSLIDES – After heavy rain, and with leaf debris the ground is soft and heavy, leading to a greater chance of landslides. Report landslides over roads to Council.

Sewer and water

• If anyone experiences a sewer system disruption, please call Council immediately on 1300 463 954. For all current water service interruptions please go to or Water Outages webpage.
• As at 4 July 2022 (4pm), Mangrove Creek Dam is 93.2% full, Mardi Dam is 81.4% and Mooney Dam is 100% full. Council continues to monitor the situation and will update the community if required.
• Multiple sewer surcharges have occurred across the Council region due to high volumes of water entering sewers during and following heavy rainfall. Pollution warning signs have been placed near Copacabana SLSC due to a sewer surcharge into the stormwater drain nearby. This is a timely reminder to avoid swimming and any other recreational contact with the waterways in the Central Coast region during and for a few days after significant rainfall.

Community support

For Disaster Relief and Support information, go to the NSW Government’s website

Health and safety

For information on maintaining health during and after floods and storms, go to NSW Health’s website or call 1800 health direct or 1800 022 222