Huge swells have inundated NSW south coast beaches as most of the coastline remains closed to the public due to hazardous surf conditions.
A coastal hazard warning was in place as of 10.30am Saturday, stretching about 800 kilometres from Seal Rocks south of Forster down to the Victorian border.
Anthony Turner says a number of beaches, including Thirroul, suffered damage from huge swells. (ABC News: Sarah Moss)
Surf Life Saving Illawarra deputy officer Anthony Turner said high tide at Thirroul Beach reached close to 1.7 metres at 5am, which caused some damage.
“We probably have four to five metre swells coming through. Austinmer is inundated right up to the car park, likewise at Thirroul Beach, where the surf club did sustain some damage to its roller door,” he said.
He said council workers were trying to fix it so they could access the club’s “essential equipment” for the day.
The waves also inundated parts of the surf club, leaving sand and water in its wake, which volunteers were shovelling out.
“You can see how far the surfs coming right up to the promenade as I speak, so it’s quite incredible,” Mr Turner said.
Thirroul Beach on the NSW south coast was inundated by waves which left sand covering the footpaths. (ABC News: Sarah Moss)
‘Power of Mother Nature’
Mr Turner said council will assess the area over the next 24 hours once the surf reduces tomorrow.
“They’ll come through and clean up with crews and machinery and hoses and clean up the walkways and car parks.”
He said Sandon Point was also heavily impacted, with damage to some of the stairways, walkways and pathways down the beach.
Council lifeguards and surf lifesavers will spend the coming days monitoring erosion and making sure the beaches are safe.
Anthony Turner says swells reached four or five metres at Thirroul. (ABC News: Sarah Moss)
“Many of our beaches have been inundated with quite a bit of erosion,” Mr Turner said.
“It just shows you the power of Mother Nature and when all the weather systems combine — you’ve got 4.5 to 5 metre swells coming through, so it’s quite impressive.”
Mr Turner urged people to stay out of the water and follow warnings for the next 24 to 48 hours.
“We’re just asking the public to maintain safety, keep away from rock platforms, headlands and open exposed beaches where the swell has been coming right up to the car park,” he said.
A number of NSW beaches have been battered by hazardous surf, with many sites closed due to dangerous conditions. (ABC News: Sarah Moss)
‘Treacherous conditions’
The strong winds and powerful surf have been caused by a clash of polar air with the typical warm and humid air that resides over the region in March, resulting in a low pressure system.
The Sydney wave buoy recorded a maximum wave at 5.7 metres at 2am on Saturday.
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Senior Meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, Angus Hines, said “gigantic waves” continue to “hammer” the east coast.
“We’ve seen significant wave heights of about 8 metres through the deep waters of the Eden coast,” he said.
“Now obviously those waves are gigantic and make things really really treacherous on and near the water, so hopefully everyone near the coastline are taking care today.
“Not only are we going to see very rough seas and large waves, but we could see some erosion.”
Mr Hines said winds are expected to ease today.
Some have flocked to Sandon Point to watch the waves. (ABC News: Sarah Moss)
Wind damage to south-east NSW overnight
Winds in the Illawarra overnight reached more than 100 kilometres per hour.
Dylan Whitelaw from SES NSW told ABC Illawarra Saturday Breakfast crews responded to about 250 incidents across the south-east in the past 24 hours, mainly related to fallen trees.
“The biggest hit area across the Illawarra and South Coast was Moruya on the far south coast recording almost 100 individual incidents,” he said.
The Bureau of Meteorology cancelled a severe weather warning for the region just before 5am.
“With the conditions easing, it is a good reprieve for our crews and will allow them to get out and finish the clean up today,” Mr Whitelaw said.
It comes after authorities urged New South Wales beachgoers yesterday to cancel their weekend plans, with potential “one-in-100-year” weather conditions forecast.