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Storm expected to ease on NSW south coast but flood warnings remain Storm expected to ease on NSW south coast but flood warnings remain
(about 2 hours later)
Storm conditions are expected to ease in NSW’s Illawarra and south coast regions following days of heavy rain and floods.Storm conditions are expected to ease in NSW’s Illawarra and south coast regions following days of heavy rain and floods.
But residents have been warned to remain vigilant as the flow-on effect of the storms is expected to flood homes on the south coast at high tide on Wednesday.But residents have been warned to remain vigilant as the flow-on effect of the storms is expected to flood homes on the south coast at high tide on Wednesday.
Related: SES takes 950 calls for help as 50 homes in Kiama isolated by flood damageRelated: SES takes 950 calls for help as 50 homes in Kiama isolated by flood damage
“Conditions will be dangerous,” State Emergency Service spokesman Phil Campbell said.“Conditions will be dangerous,” State Emergency Service spokesman Phil Campbell said.
The SES had 200 calls for help overnight and 300 people were ordered to evacuate their homes at Sussex Inlet and St George’s Basin. Some took shelter in an evacuation centre set up at a nearby bowls club, an SES spokesman said.The SES had 200 calls for help overnight and 300 people were ordered to evacuate their homes at Sussex Inlet and St George’s Basin. Some took shelter in an evacuation centre set up at a nearby bowls club, an SES spokesman said.
Flooding was also expected in Nowra, threatening to close roads and leave properties isolated. Campbell said residents would unlikely be able to return home, with high tide expected at 5pm.Flooding was also expected in Nowra, threatening to close roads and leave properties isolated. Campbell said residents would unlikely be able to return home, with high tide expected at 5pm.
The SES said it was disappointed people had removed some safety signs warning of road closures and potential flooding.The SES said it was disappointed people had removed some safety signs warning of road closures and potential flooding.
Shoalhaven mayor Joanna Gash said safety signs had been taken down, causing havoc to drivers who were getting stuck on flooded roads.Shoalhaven mayor Joanna Gash said safety signs had been taken down, causing havoc to drivers who were getting stuck on flooded roads.
“People have removed the closed signs on the roads and people are going through and getting caught and they think it is funny,” Gash said on Wednesday. “They think they have a bigger truck so they can go through and then they get stuck.”“People have removed the closed signs on the roads and people are going through and getting caught and they think it is funny,” Gash said on Wednesday. “They think they have a bigger truck so they can go through and then they get stuck.”
The SES said they were “very disappointed to hear this behaviour is going on”.The SES said they were “very disappointed to hear this behaviour is going on”.
“We are sad to know that we have had to do 67 rescues in the past 48 hours for people who continue to drive through floodwater, not only risking their own lives but also the lives of our volunteers,” an SES spokeswoman said on Wednesday.“We are sad to know that we have had to do 67 rescues in the past 48 hours for people who continue to drive through floodwater, not only risking their own lives but also the lives of our volunteers,” an SES spokeswoman said on Wednesday.
“People doing this are risking other peoples lives by making the decision to move those signs.”“People doing this are risking other peoples lives by making the decision to move those signs.”
Authorities were also still monitoring a precarious dam that began eroding near Kiama. NSW residents living downstream from Jerrara Dam, west of Kiama, were able to return home safely after being evacuated from the area because of heavy rainfall.
Jerrara Dam showed signs of a failing wall on Tuesday morning, leaving 10 properties in serious risk and the nearby village of Minnamurra vulnerable. Residents living in the lower areas of Mt Brandon Road, Jerrara Road and Jamberoo Road were evacuated on Tuesday morning following concerns the dam’s wall showed signs of failing.
Residents of two properties opted to stay and defend their home, while eight other properties were evacuated. Engineers from Kiama Council, along with the NSW SES, assessed the dam and issued an “all clear” on Wednesday morning.
Minnamurra primary school, which has 430 students, was closed as a precaution and students were evacuated.
If the dam busts, it will cause extremely dangerous flooding to areas including Mt Brandon Road, Jerrara Road and Jamberoo Road, an SES spokesman said.