Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Illawarra, South Coast, Snowy Mountains and parts of Metropolitan, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands and Australian Capital Territory Forecast Districts.

Issued at 11:06 am Monday, 27 July 2020.
COASTAL LOW BRINGS DAMAGING WINDS, SURF, AND POSSIBLE HEAVY FALLS, TO CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PARTS OF COAST TODAY

A deep low pressure system lies off the Illawarra coast and is expected to remain slow moving today, bringing damaging winds, rain and large wind-driven waves along southern parts of the coast. Conditions are forecast to ease overnight or during Tuesday morning as the low weakens and moves east.
DAMAGING WINDS, averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts in excess of 90 km/h are expected along the parts of the Illawarra and the South Coast districts, and are likely to extend to the coastal fringe of Sydney, and possibly the Central Coast, this afternoon.

DAMAGING WINDS may also develop across parts of the Snowy Mountains, Southern Tablelands, ACT, Southern Highlands and the coastal ranges of South Coast during the afternoon.
Winds are expected to gradually ease overnight or on Tuesday morning, as the low gradually weakens and moves east.

VERY HEAVY SURF which may lead to localised damage and coastal erosion with wind-driven large sea waves is likely for coastal areas south of about the Central Coast, especially in the south-facing surf zones.
Beach conditions in these areas could be dangerous and people should stay well away from the surf and surf exposed areas.
A Hazardous Surf Warning is also current for coastal areas between the South Coast and Hunter Coast. See http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/hazardoussurf.shtml.

HEAVY RAINFALL, which may lead to FLASH FLOODING and RIVERINE FLOODING, is also possible over parts of the Illawarra and the South Coast districts today. Rainfall rates should ease during the afternoon or evening, although steady rainfall will still continue.
A Flood Warning is current for the Deua River on the South Coast. A Flood Watch is also current for the South Coast river catchments.

Locations which may be affected include Sydney, Wollongong, Nowra, Batemans Bay, Eden and Cooma.

Bellambi AWS recorded 91 km/h wind gust at 12:58 am Monday.
Kiama AWS recorded 91 km/h wind gust at 01:41 am Monday.
Ulladulla recorded a 113 km/h wind gust at 10:22 am Monday
Moruya Airport AWS recorded a 91 km/h wind gust at 9:24am Monday.
Montague Island recorded a 98 km/h wind gust at 9:06am Monday.

The Batemans Bay wave rider buoy has recorded a significant wave height of 5m this morning, with a maximum wave height of 9.2m, this morning.
Many locations through the Hunter, Sydney Metropolitan, Illawarra and South Coast districts have recorded in excess of 100 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours.

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 at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
* Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.
* Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.
* 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.
* Be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid. It may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks.
* After bushfires, heavy rain and the loss of foliage can make the ground soft and heavy, leading to a greater chance of landslides.
* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.