The damage from this week’s extreme weather has really impacted Sydney’s beaches this week. As a consequence, New South Wales State Emergency Services (SES) made public major damage reports and hazardous weather warnings. Extreme high tides and pounding waves due to the storm have created significant shoreline erosion and dramatic flooding. The SES has consistently called on residents not to return to coastal areas exposed to erosion danger.
On Wednesday night, SES warned residents that the risk of coastal hazards had increased. Earlier that same day, Port Kembla buoy recorded a monster 5.9-metre wave. On Tuesday morning, the significant wave height at the Eden wave buoy exceeded a staggering 6.3 metres. Later that afternoon, Batemans Bay recorded waves of 5.1m as well.
Bondi Beach, home to Sydney’s famous Icebergs pool, was one of many locations wiped out as the dangerous waves pounded the shoreline. Waves crashed dramatically through the front doors of the Coogee Surf Club. At the same time, four-metre swells destroyed the concrete promenade at Cronulla esplanade, bringing chaos in their path. Extreme weather marred the experience on many beaches in the area. Bronte and Clovelly saw swells of 5.5 metres.
Overall, the SES fielded 17 emergency calls assisting homes under immediate threat from coastal erosion on the New South Wales Central Coast. Around 20 houses in Coogee, a suburb to the south of Sydney, were inundated after rapidly rising tidal levels. Wylie’s Baths has been closed to swims since last Sunday. It’s done better than Bondi Icebergs because it has better facilities.
“The worst … is some broken seating on the pool deck and damage that we haven’t quite been able to assess to the fence line surrounding the premises.” – Sam Bebb, operations manager at Wylie’s Baths in Coogee
The Bureau of Meteorology has advised that the immediate coastal hazards threat has passed. A very dangerous surf warning remains in place along the whole of the New South Wales coast.
Paul Moffatt, a 20-year Randwick city council lifeguard and veteran big-wave surfer, explained the dangers presented by these conditions.
“These conditions are risky even for experienced surfers. After days of flooding in Queensland, there’s an additional risk of large debris in the water.” – Paul Moffatt
Residents and visitors are advised to remain cautious and heed warnings from local authorities as they assess the damage and work towards recovery. The SES until as recently as this morning has been closely monitoring conditions, urging all communities to stay tuned to worsening conditions along the coast.