9pm UPDATE:
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A NUMBER of Port Stephens schools would not be open on Wednesday.
Find out which Port schools would be closed here.
8.30pm UPDATE:
AN evacuation centre has been opened at the Raymond Terrace Senior Citizens Hall in Irrawang Street, Raymond Terrace.
In a Facebook post about 8pm, Paterson MP Bob Baldwin confirmed the opening of the centre and said it had been established in response to "flooding concerns stemming from the ongoing extreme weather event affecting the Hunter".
The centre is now open and was being run by representatives of the Department of Family and Community Services.
The Bureau of Meteorology has a major flood warning in place for the Paterson and Williams Rivers, which has downstream implications for Raymond Terrace.
For up to date information, including flood warning updates, visit the Bureau of Meteorology website.
Roads including King Street, Port Stephens Street, Hunter Street, Glenelg Street, Seaham Road on both sides of the Fitzgerald Bridge, and other low-lying roads in and around Raymond Terrace are currently closed and were expected to remain so for the foreseeable future.
Residents requiring assistance are advised to call the NSW SES on 131 500.
When evacuating, residents are advised:
- Take your important documents, mementos and photos
- Take your spare clothing, medicines and personal hygiene supplies
- If you are going to the evacuation centre, take blankets/sleeping bags, pillows and sleeping mats.
- If possible, check to see if your neighbours need help
- Small domestic animals can be brought to the evacuation centre.
The NSW Police Force was reminding residents that the public information and inquiry centre had been activated. For information on the NSW floods and storms phone the centre on 1800 227 228
6pm UPDATE:
THERE are reports that Telstra towers across Port Stephens were not connected with power and would likely run out of battery during the night.
This is understood to mean that many Port residents would be without phone service until power was restored.
5.45pm UPDATE:
- WIRREANDA Public School at Medowie has announced it would be closed on Wednesday.
"Due to the extreme weather and no power Wirreanda School will not be operating tomorrow," a post on the school's Facebook page read about 5.30pm on Tuesday.
"Please do not send children to school."
Lack of power, tree damage and debris were stated as a "significant concern" that factored into the school's decision to close on Wednesday. Additionally, the school had no operating phone lines.
"Once it is safe for staff to be on site, we can assess the safety of the school for students to return," the Facebook post read.
- St Philip's Christian College deputy principal Simon Herd posted on the school's Facebook community group that "school will resume tomorrow (Wed 22/04/15) as normal".
- Irrawang Public School has also announced via Facebook that, with information as at 6pm on Tuesday, the school would be closed on Wednesday.
- Grahamstown Public School announced on its Facebook page that it will not be operating on Wednesday due to the lack of electricity and a phone network.
"There will be another update tomorrow [Wednesday] morning at 7.30am," the Facebook post read.
5.30pm UPDATE:
WITH continuing to rage across the Hunter, Central Coast and Sydney and more than 4500 urgent hazards ahead of technicians, Ausgrid has warned Port residents to face the prospect of a night without power.
Severe weather is continuing to cause major damage to the electricity network, leaving about 200,000 homes and businesses without power.
Storm activity is forecast to continue this evening and into tomorrow, causing further damage to the electricity network.
"It's likely to be several days before electricity supply is restored to all homes and businesses," the company said in a statement.
"Ausgrid thanks customers for their patience and support for crews as we prioritise these emergency repairs to help keep the community and our staff safe."
Extra staff were bolstering Ausgrid's offices and front-line teams, and residents were urged to report only hazards and emergencies on 13 13 88 until the backlog cleared.
More than 90,000 calls to Ausgrid were made on Tuesday alone.
3pm UPDATE:
Roads affected
- The Pacific Highway is shut 10km north of Raymond Terrace. There is no diversion.
- Maitland Road is flooded at Hexham. Motorists are advised to avoid the area.
-Traffic between Heatherbrae and Karuah on the Pacific Highway is affected. One lane is open while emergency services cut up trees obstructing the road.
- The Pacific Highway is closed in both directions at the Bucketts Way.
Stay up to date by heading to Live Traffic NSW.
Flood Safety
- The SES has sent flood safety advice via text message to residents in Newcastle and "urban areas" to expect "rapid rise and high velocity flash flooding in local creeks and watercourses".
EARLIER:
PORT Stephens residents have been strongly advised to stay indoors as rain and wind continue to pelt the local government area.
As at its 1pm update on Tuesday, the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) had undertaken 4588 jobs and 47 flood rescues since 7am on Monday.
This included 200 in Port Stephens with a major flood rescue made by the Port Stephens SES unit of two people in a vehicle at Seaham, a house inundated with flood water at Wallalong and a person in a tree at Brandy Hill.
The Bureau of Meteorology, at its 2pm update, had issued a severe weather warning for the Hunter for damaging and destructive winds, heavy rainfall and damaging surf.
Winds averaging 90- to 100km/h with peak gusts up to 135 km/h were forecast for coastal parts of the Hunter and Central Coast on Tuesday afternoon.
Residents could further expect intense rainfall.
The SES has strongly advised Port residents to continue monitoring information being made available via the Bureau of Meteorology and the SES in regards to weather conditions and flood information.
SES ADVICE:
• Never drive through floodwater.
• Avoid low lying areas as well as rivers, creeks and storm water drains
• Stay up to date with the latest traffic information at livetraffic.com
• For emergency help in a storm call the SES on 132 500
• Dial 000 in a life-threatening situation