CLEAN UP CONTINUES IN SOUTH EAST NSW, MORE DAMAGING WINDS EXPECTED TODAY
30/08/2024 09:15 AM
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NSW State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers have worked through the night cleaning up fallen trees, debris, along the NSW south coast, ahead of more damaging wind expected later today.
Volunteers have responded to more than 1500 incidents since the strong winds begun earlier this week.
NSW SES South Eastern Zone Duty Commander, Chief Inspector Dylan Whitelaw said winds were expected to pick up from sunrise this Friday.
Damaging winds averaging 80 to 90 km/h with peak gusts in excess of 125 km/h are expected in some areas today through to this evening.
Chief Inspector Whitelaw said NSW SES had crews from out of town deploying to the south coast today to assist with operations.
“Our volunteers have been working around the clock since Wednesday, and they have done a tremendous job.
“However we still have a number of incidents to attend to, which ideally we can get completed before any strong winds expected during the day,” he said.
Most of the incidents outstanding are for fallen trees, which generally require a safety assessment, and will either be tidied up and removed by the NSW SES, local council or a qualified arborist depending on the severity.
Some damaged roofs may still require securing such as tarping, and the general cleaning up of debris.
With strong winds expected later today, the NSW SES is reminding residents to prepare now.
“Now is the time to prepare. If safe to do so, secure or put away items, such as outdoor furniture, trampolines and roofing iron that could blow around in strong winds.
Locations which may be affected include Wollongong, Nowra, Bowral, Batemans Bay, Katoomba, Goulburn, Jindabyne and Thredbo Top Station.
Incidents by zone:
South Eastern Zone: 781 (114 still to be completed)
Metro Zone: 578 (32 still to be completed)
North Eastern Zone: 13 (2 to be completed)
North Western Zone: 18 (5 to be completed)
Northern Zone: 54 (6 to be completed)
Southern Zone: 46
Western Zone: 14
State Headquarters: 2
Media enquiries: NSW SES Media on 1800 067 234
