Coastal NSW residents are in for a rough night with the storm set to get worse before it gets better and flood alerts issued for Newcastle.
The SES sent out a warning for Newcastle, urging residents to be prepared for strong flash floods.
“Expect rapid rises and high velocity flash flood water in local creeks, watercourses and urban areas over the next few hours,” the warning read.
“Due to forecast heavy rain, residents in Newcastle and surrounding urban areas may experience flash flooding and a rapid rise and high flow velocities in local watercourses.
“Do not enter floodwater.
“If you become trapped you should seek the highest point within the building and to telephone 000 if you require rescue.
Downed trees in Castle Hill. (Jerome Wicks)
“For more information listen to local radio or visit www.ses.nsw.gov.au“.
The warning comes as residents prepare for a wild night, with the storm set to maintain its current ferocity until at least midnight.
Authorities have also warned the 200,000 homes and businesses without power might not be reconnected to the grid until tomorrow.
About 100,000 of those blackouts are in the Newcastle and Hunter regions, with a further 70,000 in the Central Coast and 30,000 in Sydney.
Ausgrid has issued a set of instructions for people to follow if caught in a blackout.
People are advised to check if other lights or appliances are working, and to look outside for damage such as downed wires.
However, damage such as wires or downed trees should not be approached.
Flash flooding at Parramatta. (9NEWS)
A tree has been uprooted on Laman Street at Cooks Hill. (Supplied: Elisa Haig)
Instead, people should check to see if their neighbours have power and call Ausgrid’s emergency services on 13 13 88.
The Paterson River hit a record 16.1m height following heavy rain this afternoon, causing further flooding.
NSW Premier Mike Baird earlier urged bosses to let employees leave work early, to allow them to get home while it is still daylight during a “once in a decade” weather event.
Mr Baird is asking people to be patient as emergency crews deal with life-threatening situations during the storms that are battering the state. Three people have been confirmed dead in Dungog, north-west of Newcastle.
“The weather is forecast to worsen tonight so the SES is encouraging people to head home early while it’s still daylight. Stay safe everyone,” Mr Baird tweeted.
The Transport Management Centre is warning people in Sydney, the Central Coast and Hunter regions not to leave home unless it is absolutely necessary.
Around NSW, three people have died and one person remains in a critical condition in hospital after heavy rains and strong winds lashed the state.
A tree fall in a backyard in Gorokan. (NSW SES)
The east coast low is expected to pound NSW for another 12 hours before easing tomorrow morning.
Incidents across the state include:
• An elderly woman and two elderly men were found dead in the township of Dungog;
• A family has been rescued from Greta, in a house that had been dislodged. Firefighters used a boat to access the house;
• Four people were rescued from rising flood waters at a home in Kearsley;
• Firefighters removed a large glass panel that was overhanging Martin Place at lunchtime;
A tree is down at Avalon.
A car has been crushed by a falling tree at Redfern. (Supplied: Hayden Cook)
• Twelve buildings have collapsed, 85 trees down and 51 reports of wires down;
• One hundred schools, several universities and hospitals were either completely or partially closed;
• More than 5000 calls have been made to emergency services across the state;
• Newcastle is expecting rapid rising and high velocity flash flooding this evening;
• Wind gusts up to 130kmh have been measured;
• Up to 200,000 homes and businesses have lost power;
• A cruise ship is stuck outside Sydney Heads because of a massive swell – and it may be there for the next 48 hours;
• A bus driver was winched to safety after the school bus he was driving was washed off the road at Martins Creek, in the Upper Hunter. No children were on board;
• A woman is fighting for her life after suffering a heart attack while trying to escape flood waters in Stroud.
Commuters are being urged to take care on roads and extend their patience where services are disrupted.
Gum trees were pulled from the ground in Booragul. (NSW SES)
For drivers:
NSW Police advises the following tips: drive to conditions; slow down; increase distance from vehicle ahead and; don’t drive through flood waters.
More than 250 traffic signals are blacked out with the Central Coast, Hunter and Sydney’s northern beaches the worst affected.
Flooding has closed some major roads including Oxford Falls Road and the Wakehurst Parkway on the Northern Beaches, the Audley Weir in the Royal National Park, the Illawarra Highway at Albion Park among others.
For the latest updates, see: www.livetraffic.com
For train users:
The Hunter Line is closed, and the Central Coast/Newcastle line remains closed between Hamilton and Woy Woy.
The South Coast line is closed between Oak Flats and Kiama, with a replacement bus.
Trains on tracks have disrupted city lines, with Sydney Trains urging people to allow extra time.
A photo from the Higgins Storm Chasing Facebook page shows the situation at Dungog. (Facebook)
For the latest updates, see: http://twitter.com/TrainsInfo
For bus users:
Buses have been delayed across the city due to fallen trees, flooded streets and traffic.
Northern beaches services are using Allambie Road instead of the Wakehurst Parkway due to fallen trees.
Buses have been diverted around Sutherland, Seaforth, Epping and Guildford due to fallen trees.
For the latest updates, see: http://twitter.com/BusesInfo
The entrance to the popular Dunningham Park, Coogee, swamped in beach sand. (Twitter – @CoogeeBayHotel)
For ferry users:
Parramatta Weir has overflowed, with buses replacing ferries between Rydalmere and Parramatta.
Sydney Ferries between Manly and Circular Quay will not operate.
The SES has warned people to beware of downed power lines, trees and storm debris. (9NEWS)
Manly Fast Ferries will not operate for the rest of the day.
The Palm Beach to Ettalong ferry is not operating due to large swells and strong winds.
Central Coast ferries are cancelled between Empire Bay and Woy Woy.
Buses are replacing ferries between Bundeena and Cronulla.
For the latest updates, see: http://twitter.com/FerriesInfo
Send your storm photos and videos to contact@9news.com.au – but remember to stay safe.
Deputy State Emergency Services Commissioner Steve Pearce says the conditions are “cyclonic”.
“This is an enormous event that’s been unfolding.
“We haven’t seen gale-force winds this consistent for years – gusting over 100km/h.”
A video filmed by a local showed fast-moving flood waters sweeping a home off its foundations and along a street in the town centre of Dungog, where three elderly people were found dead.
The Upper Hunter town is believed to be one of the worst affected after 312mm of rain fell in 24 hours.
The town has been cut off as roads and bridges were washed away, power was down and mobile phone and landlines were unresponsive.
Residents in Dungog and surrounding areas are being urged to stay with family or friends, or to make other accommodation arrangements.
An evacuation centre has been sent up at the local high school, on Eloiza Street.
source:9news.com.au
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 