Thousands of people in Batemans Bay have woken up to find their power out, as heavy rains smash the South Coast.
2,277 Homes and businesses in South Batemans Bay, Catalina and Batehaven, Runnyford, Sunshine Bay, Surf Beach and Lilli Pilli lost electricity after network protection equipment activated at 4.48am on Wednesday (November 29).
A fault was detected on the high voltage electricity network, after a tree fell onto powerlines on Parker Avenue in Surf Beach.
Essential Energy Crews are now working to isolate the fault and progressively restore power to customers.
“Essential Energy apologises for the inconvenience and thanks customers for their patience,” an Essential Energy spokesperson said.
The tree coming down is linked to the storm activity in the area, with the Bureau of Meteorology issuing a severe weather warning for heavy rainfall and damaging winds for people in the South Coast and parts of the Snowy Mountains today.
Another tree has come down on the King’s Highway at Nelligen.
The tree is reportedly blocking both lanes at the bridge near Old Bolaro Road.
SES chainsaw operators are at the scene.
A broad trough is bringing widespread rainfall across the South East today, with severe thunderstorms and locally heavy falls which may cause flooding along South Coast Rivers and other low lying areas.
As of 6am today, Ulladulla had copped more than 188 millimetres of rain since 9am Tuesday, with Moruya Airport receiving 50mm, 10mm of that in the 90 minutes preceding.
A gale marine wind warning and a hazardous surf warning is also in place along the Batemans and Eden Coast today.
The SES have advised people on the South Coast to stay informed about predicted minor to moderate flooding on the Bega River, and predicted minor flooding on the Moruya and Deua Rivers today.
“They’re expecting the Bega River to hit minor (flood levels) later this afternoon and into this evening and the same for the Moruya and Deua Rivers in the Eurobodalla,” Commander with the Sapphire Coast SES, Michelle De Frsikbom.
“Something to note is that flood watches and warnings are only on our gauged river systems, we often see impact in and around Eden, Towamba and the back of Bermagui there which we don’t maintain gauges on, that can obviously still be impacted by this heavy rain,” she said.
Commander with the Sapphire Coast SES, Michelle De Frsikbom, said they’ve been called out to 10 jobs in the region over the last two days but are expecting more calls today.
“With the severe weather warning comes a warning for damaging winds, and that’s a bit of a concern to us because we’ve got a lot of rain coming, strong winds coming,” De Frsikbom said.
“Particularly for areas around Coolagolite that have been impacted by the most recent fire, could have a lot of trees down, so I just ask the community be aware of that.”
People can stay up to date by monitoring warnings issued by NSW SES on their website and Facebook page, listening to local radio, and checking the latest weather information from the Bureau of Meteorology website.
For road closures and traffic informaton LIVE TRAFFIC is the best place.
For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Move your car 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.
* Report fallen power lines to either Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093), Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003) or otherwise as shown on your power bill.
* Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* Don’t walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.
* 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.
* Unplug computers and appliances.
* Avoid using the phone during the storm.
* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.
Images: NSW SES, RACQ
