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Saturday, 6 April 2024

SES advice downgraded: Low-lying areas along the Narrabeen Lagoon flooding - Reduced threat - Return with caution

The NSW SES advises you may now RETURN WITH CAUTION to the following area(s):

  • Warriewood
  • North Narrabeen:
  • Narrabeen Peninsula

All low-lying properties around Narrabeen Lagoon and along creeks, causeways, driveways and culverts.

You should take care when returning to the area as flood damage can be widespread.

More information at SES.nsw.gov.au

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Saturday 6 April 11am

SES Alert for Manly Dam downgraded to Advice: Monitor Conditions 

The NSW SES advises people in the following area(s) to MONITOR CONDITIONS of the flooding on the Manly Dam in all low-lying areas downstream of Manly Dam.

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Saturday 6 April 10am

Beaches closed 

Due to large seas and dangerous conditions all beaches are currently closed. Beachwatch advice is also to wait at least 24 hours before swimming at ocean beaches after heavy rain due to possible pollution from stormwater.

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Saturday 6 April 7.30am

Prepare to Evacuate  - low-lying areas downstream of Manly Dam 

The NSW SES advises people in the following area(s) to PREPARE TO EVACUATE due to predicted hazardous flash flooding:
- All low-lying areas downstream of Manly Dam.
You should monitor the situation and prepare to evacuate so that you can safely evacuate when instructed to do so by NSW SES. Wherever possible, you should prepare to stay with family or friends, or make other accommodation arrangements.
If you remain in the area, you may become trapped without power, water, and other essential services. It may be too dangerous for NSW SES to rescue you.
What are we expecting?
Manly Dam currently at Amber Alert and is at risk of uncontrolled discharged and may impact properties downstream of Manly Dam.
This event may change quickly. We will monitor the situation and update our warnings if the situation changes.
Download the Hazards Near Me App and set up ‘Watch Zones’ to receive warnings in real time. https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/hazards-near-me-app
For emergency help in floods, storms and tsunamis, call the NSW SES on 132 500. In life-threatening situations, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Current at 7:24am on Saturday 6th April 2024.

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Saturday 6 April 7am

SES Evacuation Alert  - Narrabeen

The NSW SES is directing people in the following area(s) to EVACUATE NOW due to dangerous and rising flooding:
  • Warriewood
  • North Narrabeen
  • Narrabeen Peninsula
- All low-lying properties around Narrabeen Lagoon and along creeks, causeways, driveways and culverts.
You must evacuate now because evacuation route may be closed
Use the following evacuation route to move to safety outside the flood affected area:
- Proceed to Pittwater Road and head north or south.
You should evacuate to stay with family, friends, or alternate accommodation in areas unaffected by flooding.
If you remain in the area, you may become trapped without power, water, and other essential services. It may be too dangerous for NSW SES to rescue you, and buildings may not be able to withstand the impact of flood water.
What are we expecting?
The Bureau of Meteorology advises Weather Situation: A trough is forecast to deepen over eastern New South Wales and along central parts of the coast today and Saturday, under the influence of a slow-moving upper-level low over central New South Wales.
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for the southern parts of the Hunter to the Sydney Metropolitan, Illawarra, and Central Tablelands districts today, then shifting south to the remaining districts overnight into Saturday while easing from the north. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 50 to 90 mm are likely, reaching up to 130 mm over the Blue Mountains and Illawarra escarpment.
Within the broad heavy rainfall area, locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is possible between the Blue Mountains and Narooma from this evening into Saturday morning, then extending further south later Saturday with localised six-hourly rainfall totals between 90 to 150 mm possible, reaching up to 220 mm over the Illawarra escarpment.
Localised 24-hourly rainfall totals between 120 and 200 mm are possible, and may reach up to 300 mm over the Illawarra escarpment. A separate Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued if very dangerous thunderstorms with intense rainfall are detected.
DAMAGING EASTERLY WINDS, averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of around 90 km/h are possible from this evening along the coastal strip south of and including coastal parts of the Sydney Metropolitan area, as well as adjacent elevated areas, particularly above 500 metres.
The widespread severe weather risk is forecast to clear south of the Hunter and Sydney Metropolitan areas by sunrise on Saturday, the Illawarra by late Saturday morning and the South Coast by Saturday afternoon. More isolated severe thunderstorms may redevelop on Saturday afternoon.
Based on predictions from the Bureau of Meteorology, the following areas may be impacted by dangerous floodwaters:
- Low-lying areas
- Causeaways
- Culverts
- Known Flash Flooding risks
This event may change quickly. We will monitor the situation and update our warnings if the situation changes.
Download the Hazards Near Me App and set up ‘Watch Zones’ to receive warnings in real time. https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/hazards-near-me-app
For emergency help in floods, storms and tsunamis, call the NSW SES on 132 500. In life-threatening situations, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Post current at 6:53am on Saturday 6th April 2024.

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Friday 5 April, 8pm

Watch and Act, Prepare to Evacuate Alert - Narrabeen  
The NSW SES advises people in the following area(s) to PREPARE TO EVACUATE due to current dangerous and rising flooding:
  • Warriewood
  • North Narrabeen:
  • Narrabeen Peninsula:
All low-lying properties around Narrabeen Lagoon and along creeks, causeways, driveways and culverts.
You should monitor the situation and prepare to evacuate so that you can safely evacuate when instructed to do so by NSW SES. Wherever possible, you should prepare to stay with family or friends, or make other accommodation arrangements.
If you remain in the area, you may become trapped without power, water, and other essential services. It may be too dangerous for NSW SES to rescue you.
Download the Hazards Near Me App and set up ‘Watch Zones’ to receive warnings in real time.
For emergency help in floods, storms and tsunamis, call the NSW SES on 132 500. In life-threatening situations, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
 
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Friday 5 April, 4pm 

Council is continuing to work with SES, attending to fallen trees, managing coastal infrastructure and assisting to clear roads as needed. Our priority remains keeping our community safe and supporting emergency response agencies. 

Flash flooding remains a concern across the area, and particularly into the night tonight. 

Please continue to prepare if you live in a flood-affected area.

Weather affected closures

The weather has closed a number of services and facilities.

  • Marine Parade is due to be closed and has barriers in place however currently open, scheduled to be closed at 5pm and reopened at 10am tomorrow.
  • The Coastal Environment Centre closed at 2.30pm. 
  • The Hop Skip and Jump ceased operations at 2pm and will recommence at 10am Saturday at this stage. 
  • All beaches are closed. 
  • All events and outdoor activities have been cancelled and/or postponed. All fields are closed on Saturday apart from Rat Park, Manly Oval and synthetic fields – to be reassessed tomorrow for Sunday status. Netball has been cancelled for tomorrow. 

Sand and sandbags

Council, NSW SES Manly Unit and NSW SES Warringah / Pittwater Unit have organised sand and sandbags at the following locations:

  • Denzil Joyce Oval car park, Abbott Rd North Curl Curl 
  • Balgowlah Golf Club car park, Sydney Rd Balgowlah 
  • Narrabeen Surf Life Saving Club car park.

Please take your own shovel. 

Lagoons

Narrabeen Lagoon was opened last night, closed again naturally and Council staff were able to successfully open again this morning. It currently remains open and free flowing. 

Manly Lagoon was opened by staff around 10am and remains open. 

Curl Curl opened naturally and Dee Why is expected to open naturally imminently. 

Roads

There is a lot of water on the road – the SES advise to stay in if possible. Check the Live Traffic website for details of closures, drive carefully and never drive through flood waters.

Be prepared

Visit our Emergency Preparedness page to learn more about the risks facing your property and what to do if an emergency occurs.

Stay safe and dry!

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Friday 5 April

It’s been a very wet 24 hours. Council’s priority is to keep our community safe and support the emergency response agencies. 

Heavy rainfall is expected to intensify today and continue over the weekend. Unfortunately, the forecast is worsening, and we are expecting heavy rain and local flooding later today, peaking overnight, and into the weekend. 

Flash flooding is a concern across the area, particularly overnight tonight. If you live in a flood-affected area, check your emergency plans and prepare your home. Being prepared can save lives.

At Council we are closely monitoring conditions and have crews ready to respond and support SES as required this week and across the weekend.

We have also completed inspections of critical assets across the area including storm water infrastructure. 

Sand and sandbags

Council, NSW SES Manly Unit and NSW SES Warringah / Pittwater Unit have organised sand and sandbags at the following locations:

  • Denzil Joyce Oval car park, Abbott Rd North Curl Curl 
  • Balgowlah Golf Club car park, Sydney Rd Balgowlah 
  • Narrabeen Surf Life Saving Club car park.

Please take your own shovel. 

Lagoons

Narrabeen Lagoon was opened last night, however, has closed again naturally because the lagoon level is roughly the same as the ocean. The lagoon level needs to be higher to beat the waves. Council’s contractor is onsite again, trying to keep the channel open, to allow water to escape.

Council has lowered Manly Dam levels, to provide more flood storage, and expect to open Manly Lagoon sometime today. 

Council have engineers working around the clock monitoring conditions. For more information on how we manage the lagoons see the video explainer. 

Road closures

A reminder to never drive through floodwaters, stay well away from stormwater drains, and regularly check the SES for alerts.

As the conditions worsen, we expect some local road to be impacted. Please follow Live Traffic website and social media channels for details of closures. 

Be prepared

Visit our Emergency Preparedness page to learn more about the risks facing your property and what to do if an emergency occurs.

Stay safe and dry!

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Thursday 4th April 

There is heavy rain and strong winds forecast over the next few days which could result in localised flooding and traffic impacts. The highest rainfall is expected overnight on Friday. 

If you live in a flood-affected area, now is a good time to check your emergency plans and prepare your home. Being prepared can save lives.

At Council we are closely monitoring conditions and have crews ready to respond and support SES as required this week and across the weekend.

We have also completed inspections of critical assets across the area including storm water infrastructure. 

Sand and sandbags

Northern Beaches Council, NSW SES Manly Unit and NSW SES Warringah / Pittwater Unit have organised sand and sandbags at the following locations:

  • Denzil Joyce Oval car park Abbott Rd North Curl Curl 
  • Balgowlah Golf Club car park, Sydney Rd Balgowlah 
  • Narrabeen Surf Life Saving Club car park.

Please take your own shovel. 

Lagoons

Engineers have been monitoring the lagoons, tide, weather and swell conditions ready to open the lagoon entrance when we hit trigger levels and conditions allow. The lagoon water levels must be high enough for an opening, otherwise sand is pushed back into the entrance and it closes once more.

At Narrabeen Lagoon, we have been waiting to hit the 1.3m trigger level. It remains well below that level, however we are going to attempt an opening on the high tide tonight (Thursday) in the hope that mother nature allows it to remain open long enough to drain some of the water out. We are prepared for it to close again over night and ready to attempt another opening on Friday morning. 

At Manly Lagoon at Queenscliff, crews are on standby and ready to open the lagoon entrance as soon as conditions allow on Friday. 

Dee Why and Curl Curl Lagoon entrances are expected to open naturally when the water level reaches a particular level. 

Council have engineers working around the clock monitoring conditions. For more information on how we manage the lagoons see the video explainer. 

Visit our Emergency Preparedness page to learn more about the risks facing your property and what to do if an emergency occurs.

A reminder to never drive through floodwaters, stay well away from stormwater drains, and regularly check the SES for alerts.

Stay safe and dry!

Helpful contacts 

Storm assistance:
SES
Call 132 500

Emergencies:
Call 000

Weather updates:
Bureau of Meteorology

Preparing for storms:
Council's Emergency Preparedness pages

Traffic updates:
Live traffic.com