For emergency assistance during a flood, storm or tsunami, call NSW SES on 132 500   In a life-threatening emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
NSW SES NSW Government
NSW SES
translate keyboard_arrow_down

NSW Coastal Low

Community advice and preparedness

A fast-developing coastal low off the NSW coast is expected to bring damaging winds, heavy rain, flash flooding, coastal erosion, and storm damage. The system is currently affecting the Mid North Coast with widespread rain, thunderstorms, and surf.

Widespread rainfall totals of 50-150mm are likely and isolated intense falls in excess of 200mm in a 24hour period are possible, which is expected to cause flash flooding. 

Forecasts predict wind gusts up to 125km/h and six-hour rainfall totals of 70–90mm, possibly reaching 120mm in some areas. The system will move south towards Sydney, the Illawarra, and the South Coast on Tuesday afternoon, bringing wind gusts up to 125km/h and a continued risk of flash flooding.

Flash flooding is particularly likely between Newcastle, Sydney, and the Illawarra due to intense, short bursts of rainfall. Minor to moderate riverine rises in coastal catchments and throughout the Hawkesbury Nepean Valley are also possible. 

The event is more dynamic and faster-moving than recent storms.

  • For assistance during floods and storms call the NSW SES on 132 500 or Triple Zero (000) for life threatening emergencies. 

  • Download the Hazards Near Me App for the latest warnings and information.

  • Check road and traffic conditions with Live Traffic NSW

  • For information on public transport, visit Transport NSW
  • Local councils or NSW SES Unit will announce where sandbagging stations may be set up in your area. Check your local council website or NSW SES Unit Facebook Page for information. To find your local unit, visit the Zones and Units page. 

  • Learn more about maintaining your health during and after a floods and storms via NSW Health

Evacuation Centres
Emergency checklists
Using sandbags

Current NSW SES warnings

View real-time warnings for flood, severe weather and tsunami in NSW by downloading the Hazards Near Me App and setting your watch zones, or using the below HazardWatch map.

Download for iOS | Download for Android

Error: Embedded data could not be displayed.
Australian Warning System advice yellow icons representing flood, storm and tsunami.
Advice

An incident has started. Stay up to date as the situation changes.

Australian Warning System watch and act orange icons representing flood and storm
Watch and Act

There is a heightened level of threat. Conditions are changing and you need to start taking action now to protect you and your family. NSW SES does not issue a Watch and Act level warning for tsunami.

Australian Warning System emergency red icons representing flood, storm and tsunami.
Emergency Warning

An Emergency Warning is the highest level of warning. You may be in danger and need to take action immediately. Any delay now puts your life at risk.

Additional support and resources

description
Preparedness and recovery resources
health_and_safety
Health support

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if I have a warning for my area?

All warnings are live on the NSW SES website and available via the Hazards Near Me app. Make sure you have downloaded the Hazards Near Me App and set your watch zones 

How do I find out about road closures/traffic?

To keep up to date with current road closures in your area visit Live Traffic NSW. 

Where do I find the latest information for school closures?

This list is managed by the department for education and can be found here: https://education.nsw.gov.au/schooling/school-operational-status 

Power Outage Information

In the case of power outages, residents can seek updates from their energy distributors:

  • Sydney, the Central Coast and Hunter region residents contact Ausgrid: ausgrid.com.au or 13 13 88
  • Sydney’s Greater West, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands, the Illawarra and South Coast residents contact Endeavour Energy: endeavourenergy.com.au or 13 10 03
  • All other NSW residents (including northern NSW) contact Essential Energy: essentialenergy.com.au or 13 20 80.

Power outage preparation

Are you prepared for a power outage? Check. Plan. Do. Power Outage Plan

What is a power outage and what to do | NSW Climate and Energy Action

Power outage factsheet Factsheet_Power-Outage_Cyclone-Alfred

Residents are being asked to prepare by following the steps on this website: https://poweroutageplan.com.au/#my-power-outage-checklist

Energy Safety Messages

  • Always assume a fallen wire is live and dangerous, stay at least 8 metres clear of them.
  • Avoid wires that are hanging low, on the ground or tangled in trees and storm debris.
  • Never drive across fallen powerlines.
  • If you’re using a portable generator for power, keep it outside, clear from windows and doorways. Don’t allow deadly exhaust fumes to enter your home.
  • If you have an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) or the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 for non-urgent matters.
What do I do if I am camping or in a caravan park in an affected area?

Caravan parks are often located close to creeks and rivers and are situated in coastal or low-lying areas. 

During wet weather events some parks may have access roads blocked or experience deep, fast flowing and dangerous floods that can impact vans and properties. 

If you are visiting, or living in a caravan park, you need to:  

  • Make a plan make to keep you and your family members safe 

  • Be prepared 

Mental Health support

There are steps you can take to psychologically prepare.

If you or someone you know needs specialist mental health care, please call the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511. It is a free service operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is staffed by specialist mental health professionals who offer mental health advice, and referrals to local mental health services.

For free health advice anytime day or night, call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222. Need support in your language? You can call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask for Healthdirect.

If you need crisis mental health support, please call Lifeline Australia at any time on 13 11 14

Children and young people can call Kids Helpline at any time on 1800 55 1800 or chat online at kidshelpline.com.au

For non-crisis mental health support, please call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36

There is also a range of online resources to support you and your loved ones. Please visit Beyond Blue and Lifeline online.

Young people should visit headspace.org.au, Kids Helpline or ReachOut.com

How you can support

While NSW SES is not coordinating donations at this stage, support options can be found on the ⁠NSW Government website. 

Please do not take donations directly to evacuation centres, as they are focused on providing immediate shelter and support, and they are already equipped with essential items.

Be prepared with these apps

Download these four apps for weather warnings, hazard notifications, road impacts advice and help from emergency services.

Hazards Near Me

Set up a watch zone to receive notifications on changing conditions.

Live Traffic
Plan ahead and see what hazards are impacting your route on NSW roads.
BOM Weather
Check for weather forecasts and warnings.
Emergency Plus
The ‘what 3 words’ feature shares your precise location with emergency services.