Strong winds and damaging surf continue to batter the Mid North Coast.
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Wings gusts up to 50 km/h were recorded at Taree Airport on Tuesday with similar conditions felt in the Great Lakes.
This trend continued throughout the night and into Wednesday. Winds speeds have hovered about 30 km/h for the last few days.
Stronger south-westerly winds were recorded at Port Macquarie throughout this week.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a damaging surf warning for the Mid North Coast, in particular Forster, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour.
The powerful seas are caused by a deep and slow-moving low pressure system centred over the Tasman Sea.
Offshore at Crowdy Head, peak waves exceeded nine metres this morning. Up to 10 metres were estimated elsewhere on the north coast.
Massive waves at Black Head Beach, Wallabi Point, Saltwater, Old Bar Beach, One Mile Beach and Burgess Beach kept surfers out of the water.
Conditions are set to ease from tomorrow, with the low weakening and moving away to the east. However, a hazardous surf warning is likely to remain in place.
The advice from NSW Police Force marine area command is:
- Stay 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 sheltered from the surf
- Boaters planning to cross shallow water and ocean bars should change or delay trips while those already on the water need safety equipment and log on with local Marine Rescue radio base
Despite the size of the waves, the tides have been primarily mellow in places like Old Bar.
Large waves were also recorded in Sydney. A search resumed this morning for a missing surfer who was last seen struggling in the surf at Coogee Beach. He was later confirmed safe by NSW Police.
MidCoast Council has kept a close eye on potential erosion at Jimmys Beach (Hawks Nest) and Old Bar Beach.
The State Emergency Service (SES) has urged residents to stay vigilant and monitor conditions.
These rough seas are unpredictable so people should stay off the beaches
- Gleen Laycock, SES Mid North Coast cluster local commander
SES Mid North Coast cluster local commander Glenn Laycock said crews only attended 10 jobs across the coast in recent days. These related to fallen trees and leaking roofs in Forster, Harrington, Camden Haven and Port Macquarie.
Crews are also keeping watch on the surging seas.
A child was rescued from dangerous surf at a popular Port Macquarie beach thanks to the quick actions of bystanders on Wednesday.
A man jumped into the churning water to help the child, before another two people came to assist with long boards.
The bystander said the waves at the time of the rescue were huge and he watched as the child was swept towards rocks due to the strong current.
"It was really full on," he said.