With hazardous weather conditions forecast to impact parts of northern NSW over the coming days, Surf Life Saving NSW is urging the public to exercise caution when visiting the coastline.
The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting that hazardous surf conditions are likely along the northern half of the coast from this evening, continuing into the weekend. Large easterly swells are expected to cause damaging surf on Friday and impact coastal areas north of Wooli, resulting in an increased risk of widespread coastal erosion.
An East Coast Low is expected to develop off the southeast Queensland coast today and deepen on Friday. This system is expected to increase the winds and waves along the northern half of the New South Wales coast, as well as bring widespread moderate rainfall.
It comes just a week after massive waves and widespread erosion brought severe damage to clubs, tore off ramps and roller doors and gouged out access ways onto many NSW beaches.
Conditions will be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, boating, surfing and swimming. People should consider staying out of the water. Rock fishers should avoid coastal rock platforms exposed to the ocean.
SLSNSW Director of Lifesaving Joel Wiseman is urging the public to exercise caution if they are visiting the coast.
“These conditions have the potential to cause high winds which can be dangerous for rock fishing, boating, surfing and swimming,” he said.
“Our resources are not actively patrolling until mid-September, and while the Far North Coast Branch has increased Support Operations in anticipation of the conditions, if you take a risk and find yourself in trouble there could be a delay in response in getting emergency services to the scene.
“People are strongly urged to check BeachSafe and understand your limitations if you do decide to take a risk.”
Forecast swell conditions could reach six metres offshore.
Surf Life Saving NSW club call-out teams, Duty Officers and surf rescue assets are on standby to respond to critical coastal incidents, despite it being off-season.
HAZARDOUS SURF CONDITIONS SAFETY TIPS
- Avoid rock fishing and water activities on exposed beaches/rock-shelves
- Only swim at patrolled beaches, between the red and yellow flags. See the Beachsafe Website for patrolled locations/times
- Check the official Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) forecast before undertaking rock fishing and water activities
- Boaties should seek advice from Marine Rescue NSW and always wear a lifejacket
- If witnessing an in-water emergency dial Triple Zero (000) – Police.
Thursday 21 July 2022