Clean up from yesterday's storm

Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said the flash flooding experienced across our city yesterday was a stark reminder of how quickly conditions across our suburbs can deteriorate during a large storm.

“As a community, we were lucky this storm happened during daylight hours, and this allowed us to support and watch out for friends and neighbours,” Cr Bradbery said.

“There are plenty of stories about where people have helped friends, family and strangers. These are a powerful reminder of the kindness and compassion within our community.”

Wollongong City Council General Manager Greg Doyle said the intensity of the rain led to localised flash flooding in most of Wollongong’s suburbs.

“We can be thankful there were no significant injuries or loss of life,” Mr Doyle said.

“I’d also like to thank our Council staff, SES, Police and other emergency services for the assistance yesterday.”

“It’s another big clean up job for everyone and it will take some time to address.”

Council’s crews were out yesterday during the storm, and in the aftermath, to start the clean up. They are back at it today working across the city to identify damaged areas, such as the area around the stairs at the southern end of Thirroul Beach which was eroded by floodwaters, and clear debris from rockpools, beaches, roads, footpaths and waterways.

Other clean up operations include:

• Fallen trees on roads and in waterways, plus two large ones that had to be removed in the Wollongong Botanic Gardens.
• Mud and debris on roads and footpaths across the region.
• Significant erosion along the coast foreshore and local creek and river systems.
• Severe damage to Otford Road causeway - sections of the road, road shoulders and drainage culvert have been displaced by the floodwater and the road is closed.
• A mudslide covering sections of Lawrence Hargrave Drive (between Coalcliff and Clifton).
• Clearing large amounts of debris, mud and rubbish from our rock pools and beaches.
• Working with stakeholders on next steps to remove the car washed onto the rockshelf at Stanwell Park.

All of Council’s rockpools are closed today, Friday 10 February, and are likely to remain closed across the weekend. Woonona and Scarborough Beaches are also closed due to debris in the water. Western suburbs pool remains closed and will reopen on Saturday 11 February at 6am.

We’re monitoring water quality at Thirroul Pool and the Continental Pool and encourage people to visit the dedicated pools’ page on Council website for opening details. It is hoped the pools will be able to open over the weekend.

“It has been a challenging time since early 2022 when it comes to weather events and our crews are all too familiar with this sort of work,’’ Cr Bradbery said.

“With all the rain that fell yesterday, we ask that the public be diligent over the next couple of days in areas adjacent to waterways as erosion may have been undermined and destabilised banks.

“Council staff will continue to work across the weekend and into next week as we prioritise urgent repairs and clean ups.’’

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