This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/aug/25/severe-weather-hits-nsw-with-storms-bringing-hail-flooding-and-a-tornado

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
NSW residents near Kiama told to evacuate with dam wall at risk of failure SES takes 600 calls for help as 50 homes in Kiama isolated by flood damage
(35 minutes later)
All properties that could be affected by flooding if Jerrara dam broke were evacuated on Tuesday morning, the State Emergency Service’s deputy commissioner, Greg Newton, said. The State Emergency Service responded to more than 600 calls and helped with 34 flood rescues, including 28 in Sydney’s west and east, as heavy rain and hail lashed parts of NSW.
Up to 50 homes were left isolated by flood damage in Kiama.
Residents south of Wollongong and Kiama are bracing for more heavy rain. The Bureau of Meteorology said up to 249mm of rain had fallen in the 24 hours to noon on Tuesday, and more was on the way.
The BOM issued a minor flood warning for the St George basin, and a flood watch warning for the south coast and Illawarra.
URGENT- Residents of the Surf Rider Caravan Park near Shellharbour urged to prepare to evacuate within the next... http://t.co/aKfNPqGmm9
Meanwhile, all properties that could be affected by flooding if Jerrara dam broke were evacuated on Tuesday morning, the SES’s deputy commissioner, Greg Newton, has said.
“Controls have been placed in that area to make sure people don’t go back into that area or travel on any of the roads that might be at risk should we get significant flooding if the dam wall fails completely,” he told ABC radio.“Controls have been placed in that area to make sure people don’t go back into that area or travel on any of the roads that might be at risk should we get significant flooding if the dam wall fails completely,” he told ABC radio.
The SES issued an urgent evacuation notice shortly before 10am to residents living downstream of the dam, west of Kiama, as severe weather hit the NSW south coast on Tuesday. The SES issued an urgent evacuation notice to residents living downstream of the dam, west of Kiama, when severe weather hit the NSW south coast on Tuesday.
The dam’s wall had shown signs of failing due to heavy rainfall in the area. Fairfax reports that residents were told to leave when the dam’s warning system issued a red alert, meaning failure was imminent, about 9.20am on Tuesday. The evacuation order is expected to remain for 24 hours.
“The dam failure warning system for Jerrara dam has issued a red alert for areas downstream of the dam stating the failure is imminent,” the SES said. The dam’s wall had shown signs of failing.
Lifesaver 21 overhead Jerrara Dam; extensive flooding in area. Now checking on welfare of local residents downstream. pic.twitter.com/djRoljpuq1Lifesaver 21 overhead Jerrara Dam; extensive flooding in area. Now checking on welfare of local residents downstream. pic.twitter.com/djRoljpuq1
Failure of the dam would result in extremely dangerous flooding to areas including Mount Brandon Road, Jerrara Road and Jamberoo Road. If the dam failed it would result in extremely dangerous flooding to areas including Mount Brandon Road, Jerrara Road and Jamberoo Road.
“The dam is currently being decommissioned and we are noticing the water is spilling over the top and is too risky. We are asking residents to evacuate immediately,” an SES spokesman said. “The dam is currently being decommissioned and we are noticing the water is spilling over the top and is too risky,” an SES spokesman said.
Minnamurra public school was closed and parents were advised to take their children home.Minnamurra public school was closed and parents were advised to take their children home.
The Bureau of Meteorology said up to 249mm of rain had fallen in the 24 hours to noon on Tuesday, and said more was on the way. It issued a minor flood warning for the St George basin. Lisa, who works at Jamberoo Bowling Club, said, “The biggest issue we have is for parents that work out of town and left this morning and can’t get back in ... like what happened a couple of years ago.”
Earlier, crews from Kiama SES were on their way to rescue three adults and two children who were unable to evacuate because of flooding at Glenbrook Drive.Earlier, crews from Kiama SES were on their way to rescue three adults and two children who were unable to evacuate because of flooding at Glenbrook Drive.
Newton said drivers should avoid travel unless absolutely necessary, and take the utmost care if they had to go out.Newton said drivers should avoid travel unless absolutely necessary, and take the utmost care if they had to go out.
DAM FAILURE EVACUATION ORDER for Jerrara Dam. NSW SES directs residents to evacuate immediately - risk of dam failure pic.twitter.com/7MX54lZB92DAM FAILURE EVACUATION ORDER for Jerrara Dam. NSW SES directs residents to evacuate immediately - risk of dam failure pic.twitter.com/7MX54lZB92
The SES said it was keeping a close eye on 40 or 50 properties that risked becoming isolated by flooded roads.The SES said it was keeping a close eye on 40 or 50 properties that risked becoming isolated by flooded roads.
“We are watching and waiting to see how many millimetres of rain we get in the area today,” an SES spokeswoman said.“We are watching and waiting to see how many millimetres of rain we get in the area today,” an SES spokeswoman said.
Radar shows rotation of the #EastCoastLow: over 150mm rain in #Illawarra & #SouthCoast over last 24hrs, more to come. pic.twitter.com/92LbQsFLTyRadar shows rotation of the #EastCoastLow: over 150mm rain in #Illawarra & #SouthCoast over last 24hrs, more to come. pic.twitter.com/92LbQsFLTy
Overnight SES crews responded to almost 600 call-outs and helped with 34 flood rescues as heavy rain and hail lashed parts of NSW.
The focus of the severe weather switched to the Illawarra on Tuesday after Sydney and other districts were hit hard overnight.The focus of the severe weather switched to the Illawarra on Tuesday after Sydney and other districts were hit hard overnight.
Pictures and video posted on social media showed rivers of water coursing through Sydney streets on Monday night at the height of the storm, as hail pounded the inner west and other suburbs.Pictures and video posted on social media showed rivers of water coursing through Sydney streets on Monday night at the height of the storm, as hail pounded the inner west and other suburbs.
Heavy rain causes flash flooding in the Sydney suburb of Glebe #sydneystorm #sydneyweather http://t.co/HG9hJPaF26 https://t.co/vNGna89sXwHeavy rain causes flash flooding in the Sydney suburb of Glebe #sydneystorm #sydneyweather http://t.co/HG9hJPaF26 https://t.co/vNGna89sXw
On Monday a tornado swept through Dubbo and damaged several homes.On Monday a tornado swept through Dubbo and damaged several homes.
On Tuesday the Bureau of Meteorology issued a flood watch warning for the Illawarra region, the south coast, and Lachlan and Nepean river valleys.On Tuesday the Bureau of Meteorology issued a flood watch warning for the Illawarra region, the south coast, and Lachlan and Nepean river valleys.
Damaging winds of about 65km/h, gusting up to 90km/h, were forecast to affect the coastal fringe of the Illawarra on Tuesday afternoon and evening, the bureau said.Damaging winds of about 65km/h, gusting up to 90km/h, were forecast to affect the coastal fringe of the Illawarra on Tuesday afternoon and evening, the bureau said.