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UPDATE, 4.14pm:
A speed restriction to 40kmh on the Princes Hwy at Newtown Rd in Bega remains after heavy rains damaged the road surface. The speed limit will remain in place until Wednesday morning, when work to repair the damage will continue.
UPDATE, 3.55pm:
The Princes Hwy is re-opened to traffic at Ulladulla after previously being closed due to flooding near Pitman Ave.
RMS advises motorists to continue to exercise caution when driving in the area.
Both lanes of the Princes Hwy at North Narooma near Kianga Rd are also re-opened after a land slip earlier restricted traffic to a single lane under alternating stop/slow conditions.
The highway is no longer affected by water between Bega and Batemans Bay.
Motorists are still advised to exercise caution and drive to the conditions as heavy rain continues to fall on the South Coast.
For the latest traffic information, visit www.livetraffic.com or call 132 701.
UPDATE, 3pm:
The Princes Hwy has been closed in both directions at Ulladulla due to flooding.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area as no diversion is available.
Heavy rain is also affecting the Princes Hwy between Bega and Batemans Bay.
The road remains open but there is water across several sections of the highway.
The surface of the highway at Newtown Road in Bega is also damaged.
Further south, only lane on the Princes Hwy is open through North Narooma under alternating (stop/slow) conditions due to a landslip at Kianga Rd.
Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and reduce their speed due to the heavy rain.
For the latest traffic information, visit www.livetraffic.com or call 132 701.
Heavy rains have resulted in the closure of the Bermagui Tathra Rd at the Wapengo Bridge.
Bega Valley Shire Council advises people wanting to travel between Tathra and Bermagui to use the Princes Hwy.
Updates and news of the road reopening will be provided on Council’s website and Facebook page.
Information is also available by calling 6499 2222.
A reduced speed limit is in place on Newtown Rd in Bega due to damage to the road surface.
The heavy rain has caused damage to the road, with the speed limit to remain until at least 4pm when it will be re-assessed.
According to the RMS LiveTraffic website, a land slip at Narooma on the Princes Hwy near Kianga Rd is causing delays.
Alternating stop/slow traffic flow is in place.
Water is also across the road in several sections of the Princes Hwy between Bega and Batemans Bay.
Please allow extra travel time and exercise caution.
The NSW SES is urging residents to take extra care on roads and make safe decisions as heavy rainfall and damaging winds make their way up the South Coast towards the Illawarra.
With a strong possibility of flash flooding it is important to remember never to drive through flood water.
Thunderstorms and heavy rain are predicted for Tuesday afternoon and may lead to flash flooding in low-lying areas.
Widespread rain of up to 60mm may fall across the Illawarra, with larger amounts of up to 150mm possible in some areas.
Earlier this morning, NSW SES volunteers responded to a vehicle trapped between flood waters at Dalmeny on the South Coast.
Flood waters are often deeper or fasting flowing than expected and contain hidden snags or debris.
Parents should ensure children do not play in flood waters stay away from stormwater drains.
NSW SES volunteers from across the Illawarra are currently on standby, while teams are active on the South Coast assisting residents with approximately 40 flood and storm related tasks.
For emergency assistance in floods and storms, call the NSW SES on 132 500 or 000 in a life-threatening emergency.
SURF Life Saving NSW is warning of rapidly increasing dangerous surf condition to affect the NSW Coast over the next two days.
A large southerly swell is expected to quickly build on Tuesday with a peak of five metres affecting the coastline from the Victorian border to Seal Rocks and extending north to Coffs Harbour on Wednesday before easing on Wednesday night.
The large seas will be accompanied by gale force winds and strong rain creating very dangerous surf conditions for rock fishermen, swimmers, boaties and surfers.
Surf Life Saving NSW lifesaving manager Andy Kent warned the weather will be terrible beach weather and people should avoid swimming at unpatrolled beaches and fishing on the open coastline until the swell begins to decline on Thursday.
“With the onset of these dangerous conditions we strongly encourage swimmers to follow all safety warnings and avoid entering the water unless there is an active patrol on duty, which will be signified by the red and yellow flags.
“The conditions over the next two days will be anything but ideal for the beach with plenty of wind, rain and dangerous surf and people should be thinking of avoiding the ocean until it begins to settle down on Thursday,” Mr Kent said.
Public Safety Messages for Dangerous Surf Conditions
- Avoid rock fishing and water activities on exposed beaches/rock-shelves
- Only swim at patrolled beaches, between the red & yellow flags
- Check the official Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) forecast before undertaking rock fishing and water activities
- Boaties should seek advice from Marine Rescue NSW and always wear a lifejacket
- See www.beachsafe.org.au for patrolled locations/times and rock fishing safety information
- If witnessing an in-water emergency dial Triple Zero – Police
WITH the current wet weather increasing runoff in creeks, rivers and beaches, the Eurobodalla Shire Council is reminding residents and visitors not to swim while it is raining, or for a few days afterwards.
Runoff from pastures, forests and urban catchments into swimming holes, beaches, small urban creeks and waterways can result in turbid, polluted waters that can affect the health of swimmers.
By making the water murky, debris, sediments, soil and pollutants can also affect swimmers' safety.
They can make it hard to see hazards like sandbars, logs and rocks.
Council asks residents and visitors to please respect the warnings and the advice on signs that are put up when and where there are potential water quality issues.