Canberrans taking a beach break are advised that the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued two weather warnings for hazardous conditions along much of the NSW coast.
The warnings for hazardous surf and marine wind were issued for today, Monday 13 July, and tomorrow, for a number of regions including the Batemans Coast, Eden Coast and the Illawarra Coast.
NSW Police, Marine Area Command have advised people in these areas to consider staying out of the water and avoid walking near surf-exposed areas. Rock fishers should avoid coastal rock platforms exposed to the ocean and seek a safe location sheltered from the surf, while boaters planning to cross shallow water and ocean bars should consider changing or delaying their voyage.
Boaters already on the water should carry appropriate safety equipment and wear a life jacket, as well as remember to log on with their local marine rescue radio base.
Director of lifesaving at Surf Life Saving NSW, Joel Wiseman, said conditions along the coast would be very dangerous for the next few days, and urged members of the public to stay away from the coastline and refrain from engaging in risky activities.
“If people put themselves in danger in these extreme conditions, there’s a real possibility that lifesavers will not be able to save them,” he said.
Mr Wiseman said strong winds in the area today and gale winds on Tuesday could create dangerous conditions and urged people to take “extreme caution” if they are visiting the coast. ACT school holidays run until Friday 17 July, and the region has been ‘swamped’ with mid-winter tourists from Canberra.
“The forecast low-pressure system will produce high winds, damaging surf with significant wave height and substantial rainfall. It will create extremely dangerous conditions for swimmers, surfers, rock fishers and boaters,” Mr Wiseman said.
Surf Life Saving NSW is on standby for emergency callouts with support from crews in Ballina and Kiama.
The BOM has also issued a warning to sheep graziers in areas including the NSW South Coast, Southern Tablelands, Snowy Mountains and ACT that cold temperatures, rain and winds expected today and tomorrow could pose a risk to the lives of sheep and lambs exposed to these conditions.
