Sydney’s beaches closed, hundreds call for assistance as storm lashes coast

A woman has died after a tree branch fell on her car during storms that have been lashing the NSW coast on Saturday, with hundreds of people calling for assistance due to flash flooding impacting communities across the greater Sydney region.

The woman died when her car was struck by a falling tree branch on Macquarie Pass, south of Wollongong, just before 4pm.

Police said the woman was driving and a man in the front seat suffered minor injuries. Two people in the rear seats were not injured.

A slow-moving, dangerous thunderstorm caused flash flooding in Mona Vale and Palm Beach, on Sydney’s northern beaches, as 62.5mm of rainfall was recorded at Avalon in the hour to 2.13 pm. Ettalong on the Central Coast had 93.5mm of rainfall in the hour to 2.22 pm.

Severe thunderstorms hit Mona Vale and Wyong at 5.20 pm, before moving north and then south, striking Sydney city and the Sydney Harbour Bridge at 7.55pm. Thunderstorms then moved to the northeast near Mona Vale, again, and Manly, impacting Hornsby, Woy Woy and Budgewoi by 10pm, and soon after, hitting Gosford.

Another severe, slow-moving thunderstorm near Camden and Campbelltown hit Menangle and Theresa Park about 9.35pm before moving northwest. At about 10pm, there were six active thunderstorms across Greater Sydney and the Central Coast, all moving inland in a northwest direction. By midnight, the systems had eased, with two severe thunderstorms remaining on the Central Coast.

Flights were delayed at Sydney Airport due to heavy rain and a ground stop for an aircraft that needed a priority landing.

“While slightly below rostered air traffic controller numbers this afternoon, we don’t anticipate significant delay or cancellations due to our staffing,” an Air Services Australia spokeswoman said.

The Central Coast and Mid North Coast regions can expect isolated rainfall up to 120mm in the next 24 hours, as well as strong winds and hail.

Meanwhile, more than 1000 people asked the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) for help with four flood rescues at Albion Park near Shellharbour, Marulan in the southern highlands, and Picton on Sydney’s south-west fringe, where people were trapped by flash flooding in vehicles.

NSW SES Duty Commander Sonya Oyston said people need to stay alert and informed about the weather conditions as storm systems circle the city.

“We’re starting to see many catchments become wet and we have already seen the impacts of flash flooding right across the coast and ranges, so it’s important people take the necessary precautions, don’t become complacent,” Oyston said.

Most beaches along the NSW coast were closed on Saturday, with large waves and dangerous conditions for swimming, rock fishing and boating predicted to continue on Sunday, as a hazardous surf warning remains in place, NSW Police marine area command said.

It was “very gnarly” at Cronulla Beach Rock Pool, said actor Patch May, who lives in Vancouver but was visiting the spot he and his brother, Mikey, had played in since they were toddlers.

Despite hanging on to the wire rope barrier, a couple of big waves knocked them off. “It was an absolute washing machine,” said May.

Patch, 33, and brother Mikey, 31, grew up in Cronulla. The brothers suggested that anyone unfamiliar with the beach, or lacking water safety skills should stay out of the water.

Most beaches on the NSW coast were closed, including Newcastle, Bronte, Tamarama, Coogee, Cronulla and Maroubra, Surf Life Saving Australia’s Beachsafe app reported.

Surfline’s live beach cameras revealed conditions were poor at most beaches up and down the NSW coast. Waves were twice as high, averaging two metres compared to one, compared to the past few weeks.

“It is a very lumpy, strong, and stormy swell. It looks like it has lots of power, but it is not good for surfing,” said Bill, a surfer in Newcastle who did not provide his last name.

Beach scientist Andrew Short told the Herald that big waves would start reshaping beaches for more consistent surf after a period dominated by small waves breaking on shore. The “wave drought” this summer had been interrupted only occasionally and briefly, he said.

NSW Police urged beachgoers to stay out of the water and avoid walking near areas exposed to the large waves of four metres that were causing dangerous conditions for swimming, rock fishing and boating.

Rock fishers should avoid coastal rock platforms exposed to the ocean and seek a safe location that is sheltered from the surf, police said.

Sydney is expected to get up to 40mm of rain on Sunday, a Bureau spokesperson said.