With the wet weather continuing to wreak havoc across NSW Coastal areas, the Peninsula has survived the worst of what was expected, even gaining an extra pothole or two.
Over the past week of wet and wild conditions, some drivers were unable to return home due to significant flooding on roads leading into the Peninsula, swimmers have been unable to visit popular beaches, and sea foam has inundated the beaches.
President of Killcare Surf Life Saving Club, Craig Sheppard, said the high tide has brought out the foam with waves reaching over the new sand dunes at Killcare.
“Generally it’s not harmful (although it can be depending if algal blooms are decaying near the coast) but given the pollution reads the recommendation is to err on the side of caution and give it a wide berth,” Sheppard said.
Central Coast Council said roads crews have been responding to a large increase in general service requests with the current weather pattern, repairing 1,481 potholes across the Coast since February 24.
During this emergency weather event, Council has formed an Emergency Incident Committee to collectedly address impacts and has liaised with Transport NSW around state road matters within the region.
Report any potholes or road damage caused by weather events by calling Council on 1300 463 954 or submitting online centralcoast.nsw.gov.au via the ‘Report an issue’ page.
In the 24 hours preceding March 9, the Bureau of Meteorology recorded 65 millimetres of rain at Woy Woy Tip, 54 millimetres at Ettalong Public School, 51 millimetres at Killcare Heights Reservoir, 66 millimetres at Pearl Beach Reservoir.
As of the morning of March 9, swimmers at Pearl Beach, Ocean Beach, Umina Beach and Killcare Beach were told to avoid swimming due to likely pollution in the water.
Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as swimming, rock fishing and surfing.
Council said a large tidal anomaly is being experienced at Brisbane Water, with the evening high tide expected to be ‘very high’ over the coming days.
Council said this means that Woy Woy Town Centre, parts of Booker Bay, Davistown, and Empire Bay will have some sea water flowing up the drains into the streets causing a nuisance.
The main impact is likely to be Central Coast Highway West Gosford, at the Racecourse Rd intersection, where the westbound traffic lanes may again be underwater.
It comes as the Bureau of Meterology warned that an East Coast Low system will move slowly south from the Coast on Wednesday, with conditions expected to gradually ease.
However, a separate Severe Weather Warning for Damaging and Hazardous Surf is current for the Central Coast.
The SES advises that people should move vehicles under cover or away from trees, secure or put away loose items around the house, yard and balcony, keep clear of creeks and storm drains and refrain from driving, walking or riding through floodwaters.
The SES said to also keep at least eight metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences, and be aware of trees that have been damaged by fire which are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.
If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue and be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid.
For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.
Locals can 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.
For road and traffic updates, check livetraffic.com
Maisy Rae