11:48AM: The new site earmarked for the new Warilla Library is under water.
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THE wet weather continues through to today.. Wednesday, April 22.
Trains areaffected with services suspended on the south coast line between Waterfall and Thirroul as well as Oak Flats and Kiama.
Information below is from yesterday, Tuesday April, 21.
4:25PM: BOM's severe weather warning of strong winds, heavy rainfall and dangerous surf conditions still stands for the Illawarra region, specifically on the coastal fringe. Conditions could deteriorate early evening and they are expected to slowly ease overnight tonight and into Wednesday as the low gradually begins to weaken.
South Coast trains are delayed and Illawarra Highway, Taylor Road and Swamp Road, Jamberoo remain closed at this time.
2:52PM: Delays on trains if you're heading home from Sydney.
2:11PM: The Illawarra is expected to be spared the worst of the wild weather conditions that are wreaking havoc around Newcastle.
According to the BOM, an intense low pressure system just off the coast near Newcastle is expected to move gradually south on Tuesday afternoon and evening, staying close to the coast as it does.
The BOM warns heavy rainfall is possible about the Metropolitan and Illawarra.
Senior Weatherzone meteorologist Rob Sharpe told Fairfax Media it was unlikely the Illawarra would see the intensity of rain experienced further north.
‘‘What we’re seeing in the Hunter is it’s quite close to the low pressure system and ... there’s a couple of severe thunderstorms as well there and that’s why we’ve seen the remarkable flooding rains around Dungog and Maitland,’’ Mr Sharpe said.
‘‘For the Illawarra we’re expecting to see the showers continuing through today and then into tomorrow.
‘‘Winds will remain quite gusty through today and tomorrow, but they’re unlikely to be as strong as they are further north.’’
Damaging wind averaging 60 to 70 km/h with gusts to about 100 km/h are forecast to continue along the coastal fringe of the Metropolitan and Illawarra forecast districts on Tuesday afternoon.
‘‘As tomorrow continues, we’ll continue to see the gusty winds,’’ Mr Sharpe said.
‘‘The rain will probably be at its heaviest tomorrow (Wednesday) morning then it’ll start to back off.’’
2:00PM: Below are the current road closures:
- Illawarra Highway at Taylor Road, Albion Park remains closed in both directions.
- Swamp Road, Jamberoo
1:40PM: Here is how the floods are looking on Instagram:
1:25PM: Live traffic NSW have issued a warning that all non-essential travel should be avoided across the road and transport network due to the bad weather conditions throughout Sydney, Newcastle, the Central Coast and the Illawarra.
1:12PM: Horrifying footage from Dungog as an entire house floats away.
1:00PM: Terrible news as three people have died in the township of Dungog, Central Hunter region as a result of severe weather conditions which continue to impact the region today.
During this morning a woman and two men were located deceased within the Dungog township by Central Hunter Local Area Command. The circumstances surrounding their deaths are still to be determined.
Numerous calls were received by emergency services for assistance, particularly in the Stroud and Dungog areas.
11:34AM: Swamp Road, Jamberoo remains closed.. all other roads are currently open. South Coast train line is affected between Kiama and Oak Flats - buses replace trains.
No electricity power outages reported south of Wollongong at present.
Earlier: SHELLHARBOUR and Kiama NSW SES units were kept busy overnight as wild weather hit the region.
Shellharbour City SES sprung into action and responded to 20 storm-related callouts, mainly for flood threatening assistance in the Warilla area, and a boulder blocking the road on Macquarie Pass.
At 10AM this morning it was reported there was a car accident on Kiama Bends causing delays heading south.
At this stage, Swamp Road, Dunmore is still closed in both directions however, Tongarra Road has reopened, Taylor Road has reopened, Sunset Avenue has reopened, Antrim Avenue has reopened.
Total rainfall since 9am yesterday (Monday, April 20) at Albion Park is 70mm, with wind 63km/h; and Kiama 53mm and wind 89km/h with gusts reaching almost 90km per hour.
Shellharbour City Unit deputy media co-ordinator Matthew Norris said most low-lying areas of Warilla were being affected.
"Continuing rain meant that water levels never drop and these were our big problem areas as it continues," he said.
"Our callouts were mainly for Warilla, Albion Park, Shell Cove and Lake Windemere Caravan Park."
Volunteers from Kiama SES attended 12 storm-related jobs since 10:30am on Monday morning and increasing wind gusts overnight resulted in attending a job where a trampoline blew through a bedroom window in the Kiama Downs area.
The unit are also warning residents to prepare for more wild weather to come.
Shellharbour City SES local controller Terri-Ann Hurt said the weather on Monday night is just the start of what could be a cold and wet winter.
"Residents should always be prepared and know what to do should the weather affect them adversely," she said.
The South Coast rail line is partially closed between Oak Flats and Kiama due to the adverse weather conditions.
Buses are replacing services between the stations and passengers are advised to allow plenty of additional travel time, listen to announcements and check indicator boards.
Passengers travelling towards Sydney are also advised to allow plenty of additional travel time due to a tree on the line at Stanwell Park.
BOM have issued a severe weather warning for damaging and locally destructive winds, damaging winds, heavy rainfall and damaging surf for people in the Metropolitan, Mid North Coast, Hunter and Illawarra forecast districts.
Shellharbour City Council have said swimming lesson have been cancelled today.
Shellharbour City SES advises for all members of the community to follow the following steps immediately, so that you can act accordingly before the next storm affects you:
• Keep listening to your local radio station for information, updates and advice.
• Check your house or property for damage.
• Stay clear of creeks, drains, causeways, gutters, streams, fallen trees, power lines and any damaged buildings.
• Check to see if your neighbours need help.
• Do not go sightseeing as this may hinder recovery efforts or put yourself and others at risk.
• Stay up-to-date by checking the Shellharbour City Unit’s Facebook page for updates and weather warnings. Just go to www.facebook.com/pages/NSW-SES-Shellharbour-City-Unit.