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Bureau of Meteorology severe weather warning 3.09pm update: Destructive winds for the Hunter coast
A small intense low pressure system is moving towards the NSW Central Coast.
Conditions will deteriorate over the next several hours with severe wind gusts and very heavy rainfall likely for peak hour into early evening.
Conditions are expected to slowly ease over night and into Wednesday as the low gradually begins to weaken.
Destructive winds averaging 90 to 100 km/h with peak gusts up to 125 km/h are forecast for coastal parts of the Hunter. Wind gusts to date include 120 km/h at Nobby's Head and 110 km/h at Williamtown.
Heavy rainfall is likely in the Hunter. Rainfall totals from 9am Monday to 9am Tuesday include 312 mm at Dungog and 186 mm at Wallsend. Rainfall totals between 9am and 2pm include Maitland 246 mm, Seaham 152 mm and Tocal 132 mm.
Very heavy surf that may lead to localised damage and coastal erosion is forecast for the Hunter. Beach conditions are dangerous and people should stay well away from the surf and surf exposed areas.
SES
Flood advice for residents in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. Expect rapid rises and flash flooding in the next few hours. Do not enter floodwater.
An intense low pressure system has brought significant wind and rainfall to the NSW coast.
This wild weather sits near the boundary of the Hunter and Mid North Coast locations and is expected to move slowly south.
NSW SES have undertaken 1548 jobs in the Hunter since 7am Monday.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
■ Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
■ Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
■ Keep clear of fallen power lines.
■ Don't drive, ride or walk through flood water.
■ Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.
Ausgrid
Emergency crews are responding to more than 3000 reports of hazards including fallen poles and power lines and trees on wires after major storms cut power to 90,000 homes and businesses in the Hunter.
As the bad weather conditions continue, Ausgrid is warning that it could take several days before all repairs are made and power returned.
Its immediate focus is on safety with crews going from street to street to carry out emergency repairs and de-energise and cut away powerlines to make the network safe.
Crews will then be able to start work on repairing storm damage to major powerlines and restoring supply to essential services including transport services, hospitals and water pumping stations.
It is bringing in additional crews from other networks to assist but it's expected to take until later this week to restore power to all locations, particularly remote areas which have suffered significant storm damage.
Additional teams are also being brought into its contact centres to help answer emergency calls.
Due to the volume of calls and wait times, callers are asked not to hold on to speak to an operator unless they are reporting an immediate safety hazard or emergency.
Customers using life support equipment should be activating their back up plans in case of an extended outage to their home.
Neighbours are also encouraged to check on elderly residents and others who might need assistance.
Hunter Water
Hunter Water is urging customers to conserve water in response to Tuesday’s severe storm event.
Power outages throughout the Lower Hunter have impacted Hunter Water pumping stations and reservoirs, leaving a number of suburbs either without water or with limited supply.
Hunter Water is continuing to work with Ausgrid, however, with weather conditions expected to worsen throughout the afternoon and evening, it is possible the power outages will be lengthy.
The severe weather continues to cause a number of operational issues for Hunter Water, with maintenance crews attending a number of overflows and pipe breakages.
Hunter Water has so far received more than 550 service fault phone calls from the public.
Most of Hunter Water’s stormwater channels are currently at capacity and likely to overflow with the ongoing heavy rainfall.
Flood prone areas of Cardiff and Wallsend are at particular risk.
With a number of suburbs out of water or at risk of running out, Hunter Water encourages customers to purchase bottled water.
Customers who keep their receipts for bottled water purchases will be reimbursed for their expense.
Hunter Water will continue working with Ausgrid, the SES and other local authorities to keep services operating as best as possible during this severe weather event.
In consideration of the high number of service faults and incidents, Hunter Water encourages customers to only phone 1300 657 000 in case of an emergency.
Suburbs either out of water or with limited supply are Cameron Park, Dudley, Elermore Vale, Mount Hutton, New Lambton Heights, Coal Point, Newcastle West, Waratah and Whitebridge.
Newcastle Council
City Library closed at 3.30pm for staff to travel home safely.
Council offices in King Street are closed. A few staff are manning the phones but the front door is locked.
Council has been flat out moving dangerous and fallen down trees. It does not have the staff available to do inspections of trees still standing. If residents are worried, they are to avoid the area to keep themselves safe.
Lake Macquarie Council
The citizenship ceremony for Wednesday has been postponed.
Council’s administration centre is still without power and phone services.
On Wednesday morning, council staff will assess if facilities will open and waste services resume.
Council crews are working with SES to clear falllen trees.