Thousands remain without power across New South Wales after severe winds and heavy rain battered the state, with wind gusts up to 130km/h, 13-metre high waves, and several places receiving more than 200mm of rain. The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) expects a 'second surge' on Wednesday night to bring further rain and wind to the south coast of NSW and eastern Victoria.
The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) has responded to more than 3,400 incidents since the vigorous coastal low began lashing the east coast, including fallen trees, power lines, damaged roofs, and flash flooding. A driver remains in critical condition after a tree fell on his truck in Moss Vale.
Network operator Ausgrid reported that just after 6pm on Wednesday, crews had restored power to many, but about 3,300 customers remained without electricity. Residents of Wamberal and North Entrance on the Central Coast were asked to evacuate due to coastal erosion.
The BoM recorded widespread rainfall of 100-120mm from southern Sydney to the south coast in the 24 hours to 9am Wednesday, with Morton receiving 248mm, Ulladulla 224mm, Fitzroy Falls 218mm, and Robertson 212mm. Wind gusts of 130km/h were recorded at Wattamolla, 122km/h at Montague Island, and 104km/h at Penrith and Ulladulla.
Hazardous surf conditions saw waves up to 13m at Port Kembla and Eden, with 12m at Batemans Bay and 10m at Sydney. The BoM warns of damaging winds and heavy rain from Forster to Bega, with average gale-force gusts of 60-70km/h and possible gusts up to 110km/h. A widespread flood watch remains in place for catchments across the Hunter, central coast, tablelands, Illawarra, and southern coast.
