Monday update: Waves hitting NSW after the Tonga volcanic eruption have peaked, the Bureau of Meteorology says, but it's not quite all clear to get back in the water on Monday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The weather service on Sunday evening confirmed that a hazardous surf warning remained in place for the Hunter and much of the NSW coast as small, unusual waves were expected to continue.
The conditions were "no longer expected to be dangerous".
Surf and swell conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, boating, and swimming throughout the day.
NSW SES assistant commissioner Sean Kearns said on Monday the public must stay clear of the water.
"The surf conditions will likely remain hazardous well into tomorrow," Mr Kearns said.
"There is also a chance we could experience severe weather this afternoon, which could only add further dangers," he said.
Surf Life Saving NSW Director of Lifesaving, Joel Wiseman agreed, saying it was important the public was aware of the dangers the conditions posed.
"Surf Life Saving NSW's position is always for the benefit and safety of the public, and while we have remained proactive and operational despite flags being down during the course of the Marine Tsunami Warning, we hope that potential beachgoers understand the risks associated with the hazardous surf conditions," he said.
"As an organisation, we are rescue ready and have Support Operations actively working across the state to ensure optimal safety on our coastlines, but we still encourage anyone planning to head to the beach this afternoon and into the evening to reconsider."
NSW Water Police say:
- People should consider staying out of the water and avoid walking near surf-exposed areas.
- Rock fishers should avoid coastal rock platforms exposed to the ocean and seek a safe location that is sheltered from the surf.
- Boaters planning to cross shallow water and ocean bars should consider changing or delaying their voyage.
- Boaters already on the water should carry the appropriate safety equipment and wear a lifejacket.
- Boaters should remember to log on with their local Marine Rescue radio base, via VHF Radio or the Marine Rescue APP, and consider their safety management plan.
The Bureau of Meteorology warning is due to be updated at 5pm.
Earlier: HUNTER swimmers, surfers, boaters and fishers are waiting for the Bureau of Meteorology to confirm when they can return to the water, after a tsunami warning closed beaches from Tasmania to south-east Queensland.
The BOM has been extending throughout Sunday its Saturday night warning of a tsunami threat to the marine environment - with the possibility of dangerous rips and waves, strong ocean currents and some localised overflow onto the immediate foreshore - after an underwater volcano off Tonga erupted at 3.10pm AEDT on Saturday.
BOM senior meteorologist Sarah Scully said at 2.40pm on Sunday the warning remained in place for Norfolk Island, Lord Howe Island and the NSW coast, but this warning was expected to be cancelled in coming hours.
She said the highest wave recorded was 1.27 metres at Norfolk Island, while a 0.77 metre wave was recorded at Twofold Bay, south of Eden.
"A particular area needs to be clear of any significant wave height for at least six hours before the threat is considered to be over and for that warning to be cancelled," Ms Scully said.
NSW State Emergency Services Commissioner Carlene York said at a press conference on Sunday morning the organisation was working with Surf Life Saving, NSW Police and local councils to ensure members of the community were safe.
"Lord Howe Island is our most eastern point of NSW and there have been recorded increases in the water levels of 1.1 metre and we're watching now and getting advice from the bureau in relation to what is expected on the east coast of NSW," Ms York said.
She said she expected beaches to be closed for the next six hours. She said Surf Life Saving NSW had removed flags and were ensuring people didn't enter the water so they were not at risk of injury or death. A rock fisherman had already had to be rescued, she said.
"It's important not to go down to the beach, but it's also important to understand not to go down and look at the tsunami," Ms York said.
"In past tsunami warnings we've had people get in their vehicles and go down to the beach, that is exactly the wrong thing to do, we want to make sure that whoever is in the nearby vicinity we can evacuate people safely and we can have the roads as clear as possible and we can make sure people are safe, because once that wave - if it does come - is coming, it's very vital and very urgent to get people away from the areas."
IN THE NEWS:
- Aged care in crisis as an avalanche of COVID stressors hit
- Legacy of philanthropy continued by Norman family
- Hunter New England health no longer publishing daily case numbers
- Tonga tsunami triggers warnings along Australian East Coast
- For the children: Thousands rally in Newcastle against COVID vaccines
Hunter Surf Life Saving chief executive Rhonda Scruton said on Sunday members of the branch's 13 clubs complied with the order and nippers activities had not gone ahead.
"All of the patrols were alerted by 8am [ahead of their 9am start] that they were to be there but not to open the beach and to be aware there is a tsunami warning and all 13 are being absolutely brilliant, they're radioing in every 30 minutes and Surf Life Saving NSW are keeping in contact with us, constantly keeping us informed of anything," Mrs Scruton said.
"With a tsunami comes a lot stronger rips and tides so even though it looks like a pond and everyone is dying of heat exhaustion, if there's really strong rips or if something does happen it's just too dangerous to have a lot of people in the water at once."
She said the branch's program covered preparing for a tsunami, but they were rare, especially in the midst of a COVID-19 disrupted season.
"In my 30 years this is only the second big one where we've been worried and they've said 'No, don't let anyone in the water'," she said.
"It is a highly unusual situation but it's wonderful how we're not being caught off guard. I just think it's amazing with our technology now that they're watching it, they can't predict where it's going to hit and if it will and its intensity, but they know that there is something there and they do know the currents are a lot stronger around a tsunami so we're very blessed that way.
"If it's one day out of our season... it's weird but honestly I don't know what's not weird anymore. I think we're all becoming more and more resilient and saying 'Yes, okay, obey the rules and we'll all be safe', that's all we can do."
The NSW SES has advised people to stay out of the water and move away from the immediate water's edge of beaches, marinas, harbours, coastal estuaries and rock platforms.
It said boats in harbours, estuaries or shallow coastal water should return to shore and vessels already at sea should stay offshore in water at least 25 metres deep until further advised.
The SES said in a statement people considering local rivers as an alternative for swimming were reminded that "due to recent heavy rain, some river systems across the state are swollen, and may present dangerous swimming conditions".
Volleyball NSW proceeded on the sand at Nobbys Beach with the finals of its senior beach volleyball tour.
The BOM is issuing regular updates for NSW.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark: newcastleherald.com.au
- Download our app
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News
More to come