Wild weather, which has left 50,000 without power, continues to batter Western Australia, with the New South Wales coast also being hit by rain and strong winds.
The “rare event” on the west coast saw a house in Geraldton smashed apart and others in Perth and other regional centres damaged.
Trees and power lines were downed in the storm over the weekend, and warnings remain in place throughout today.
Meanwhile, a kayaker drowned over the weekend at Bateman’s Bay, NSW.
Staggering – but dangerous – surf up to five metres saw water lovers flock to Sydney beaches over the weekend.
Weather warnings remain in place today for dangerous surf for much of the NSW coast.
Western Australia
A weather warning remains in place for areas south of Perth and along the state’s south coast, in what forecasters have called a “rare event”.
This morning the WA Emergency issued a warning for parts of the Midwest-Gascoyne, Goldfields-Midlands, Perth Metropolitan, Great Southern, South West, Lower South West.
“Locations which may be affected include Albany, Bunbury, Esperance, Katanning, Mandurah, Manjimup, Margaret River, Mount Barker, Narrogin and Perth,” it said. “This is unusual weather that could cause damage to homes and make travel dangerous.”
Around 12,000 more homes and businesses have now been reconnected to power, but 50,000 remaining without after the wild storm yesterday, including 37,000 in Perth.
Western Power said it had 70 crews addressing hazards on the network but many households should expect to remain without power.
“We will not attempt any repair work during the storm because operating elevated work platforms (cherrypickers) and other equipment is not safe to do so because of the dangerous winds,” it said.
Anyone outside should find safe shelter away from trees, powerlines, storm water drains and streams.
Motorists are warned to watch for hazards, such as debris, and to not drive into water of unknown depth and current.
A gust of 132 km/h was recorded at Cape Leeuwin at 4:14am local time this morning.
Another measuring 109 km/h was recorded at Rottnest Island at 11:02pm last night.
Up to 100mm of rain is expected to fall along the west coast, while tides are predicted to swell before reaching a peak of eight metres tomorrow.
The Bureau of Meteorology says it is a “rare event” because so many areas of the state are being affected.
Residents have been warned to unplug electrical appliances, avoid using landline phones if there is lightning, and stay away from windows.
Motorists are warned to watch for hazards and to not drive into water of unknown depth and current.
Residents in coastal areas from as far north as Exmouth and south to Augusta are specifically warned of the potential of a dangerous storm tide.
Peak wave heights in excess of eight metres are predicted for the south west coast on Monday, causing significant beach erosion.
Winds are expected to ease across the Pilbara and Gascoyne regions, and through the south-western part of the state during Monday.
Department of Fire and Emergency Services Chief Superintendent Danny Mosconi said it was now too late for people to prepare their homes and they needed to stay inside.
“Stay indoors wherever possible and be mindful of any debris like falling branches,” he said.
“Do not go out on the water or you will be risking not only your life but the lives of marine rescue volunteers who will be called upon to help you.”
In the state’s capital, Perth, northerly damaging winds are not expected to ease until Monday afternoon, and 30-40mm of rainfall is expected.
“Rainfall with be widespread across the state with isolated falls from the Kimberley to Karratha up to around 100mm, and rainfalls on the south over 50mm, and that will extend inland up to 10-20 mm or more,” Mr Ashley said.
“The winds will build up the seas against the coast and a storm tide is expected which can be particularly dangerous and could flood low lying coastal areas.
New South Wales
After five-metre waves over the weekend weather warning has been issued for damaging surf along the NSW coast today.
The Bureau of Meteorology has urged caution in the Mid North Coast, Hunter, Metropolitan and Illawarra Forecast Districts.
“Damaging Surf Conditions, with waves exceeding 5 metres in the surf zone, are likely for exposed coastal areas of the Illawarra, Sydney Metropolitan, Hunter and Mid North Coast districts on Monday.” It said.
More showers will move in to Sydney this afternoon, with the strong winds, including gusts up to 55km/h in parts, remaining.
Meanwhile, HMAS Canberra was filmed riding out wild seas off NSW.
– Reported with AAP
Source: 9News
