The impact of ex-tropical cyclone Oswald is starting to be felt on the Coffs Coast.
Heavy rain began falling in Coffs Harbour around midday.
Shop keepers in low lying areas of the CBD and residents along Coffs Creek have been sandbagging their properties in preparation for flash flooding.
10 Swift Water Rescue Teams who are experts in flash flood rescues have flown into Coffs Harbour, 5 from NSW Police and another 5 from NSW Ambulance.
The SES has had around 40 call outs from across the region, mostly due to saturated trees dropping limbs.
At 4am this morning the SES attended a camping ground at Jackadgery west of Graton where campers wanted to leave due to rising waters.
People living and holidaying in the region are being advised to prepare for conditions to worsen this afternoon.
SES spokesman Phil Campbell says that it is likely that there will be localised flash flooding and river flooding on the mid-coast and north coast.
Wind gusts of up to 110 kilometres an hour are also forecast.
A Minor Flood Warning is current for the Bellinger River at Thora.
All NSW state roads remain open however, motorists travelling on the Pacific Highway and the New England Highway are urged to exercise extreme caution and drive to the conditions.
There have been reports of heavy rainfall, debris and reduced visibility at some locations.
Additionally, heavy holiday traffic is also being experienced on the Pacific Highway for motorists travelling southbound approaching the Hexham Bridge, in Newcastle.
The latest information regarding incidents, closures or heavy holiday traffic is available at Live Traffic NSW or by calling the Traffic Information Line on 132 701.
No comments:
Post a Comment