Key Takeaways:
- A woman has died after being struck by a falling tree branch on Macquarie Pass south of Wollongong due to damaging winds and heavy rainfall in New South Wales.
- Over 700 emergency volunteers are responding to hundreds of calls for assistance across the state, with four rescues conducted in the past 24 hours.
- Severe weather warnings are in place across the state, with thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail expected in the Central Coast and Mid North Coast regions.
- Almost 200mm of rain has fallen in Moruya in the state’s far south coast over the past 48 hours, with emergency services responding to dozens of incidents.
- Several Sydney beaches have been closed due to dangerous weather conditions, with only a few remaining open with limited access.
Introduction to the Severe Weather Event
A severe weather event has struck New South Wales, causing widespread damage and disruption across the state. On Saturday afternoon, a woman died after being struck by a falling tree branch on Macquarie Pass south of Wollongong. The incident occurred as damaging winds and heavy rainfall lashed the region, causing emergency services to be called to the Illawarra Highway. A male front-seat passenger in the vehicle suffered minor injuries, while two rear-seat passengers were unhurt. The incident has resulted in the closure of Macquarie Pass, which is expected to remain closed for several hours as police investigate and prepare a report for the coroner.
Emergency Response Efforts
The NSW State Emergency Service has responded to the severe weather event by deploying over 700 emergency volunteers to assist with hundreds of calls for help across the state. According to NSW State Emergency Service Superintendent Matt Kirby, the volunteers are working to respond to almost 900 incidents, with a focus on clearing fallen trees and repairing damaged and leaking roofs. The service has also conducted four rescues in the past 24 hours, with some people trapped in vehicles surrounded by floodwaters. Superintendent Kirby warned that the severe weather was not expected to ease until at least Sunday, and reminded people not to drive through floodwaters and to be wary of where they park their vehicles, as trees can fall at any time.
Weather Warnings and Flooding
Severe weather warnings are in place across the state, with thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail expected in the Central Coast and Mid North Coast regions. The rainfall in these areas could reach up to 120 millimeters in the next 24 hours, causing significant flooding and disruption. Almost 200mm of rain has already fallen in Moruya in the state’s far south coast over the past 48 hours, with emergency services responding to dozens of incidents. Videos posted to social media show extensive flooding on roads, with a Woolworths car park at Umina under water. The flooding has also caused the closure of several roads, including the Illawarra Highway, which is expected to remain closed for several hours.
Impact on Sydney Beaches
The severe weather event has also had a significant impact on Sydney’s beaches, with several closed due to dangerous weather conditions. A week after beaches were packed with people escaping temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius, many swimming spots have been closed, including Coogee, Bronte, Tamarama, and Maroubra beaches. Bondi Beach was one of the few to remain open on Saturday, but NSW Surf Life Saving chief executive Steven Pearce warned that conditions were dangerous across the coast. He advised people against swimming at unpatrolled beaches, saying that it would be "completely mad" to enter the water in such conditions. Mr. Pearce added that authorities would continue to assess conditions before a decision was made to reopen all beaches on Sunday.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
The severe weather event in New South Wales has caused significant damage and disruption across the state, resulting in the death of a woman and the closure of several roads and beaches. The NSW State Emergency Service is working to respond to hundreds of calls for assistance, with a focus on clearing fallen trees and repairing damaged and leaking roofs. As the severe weather is expected to continue until at least Sunday, people are advised to exercise caution and follow the instructions of emergency services. The situation is being closely monitored, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available. In the meantime, residents and visitors are urged to stay safe and avoid taking unnecessary risks during this severe weather event.