The M1 is closed in both directions from Berkeley to Dapto as crews work to bring a fire at Kanahooka under control. Photo: Zoe Cartwright.
UPDATED 5:06 PM: Live Traffic has advised all lanes of the M1 have reopened in both directions between Dapto and Berkeley.
Traffic is still heavy in the area, and along the Princes Highway, and is expected to take some time to clear.
The fire that prompted the closure is still active, but a Fire and Rescue spokesperson said it is under control at present.
UPDATED 3:52 PM: Emergency services have closed the M1 in both directions at Kanahooka, as a fire threatens to jump from the western to the eastern side of the freeway.
Northbound traffic is being directed to make a U-turn before the Kanahooka on-ramp, while south-bound traffic is being directed off the M1 via the off-ramp at Kanahooka.
The fire has jumped across northbound lanes and is now active in the central median strip, as well as on the western side of the highway.
Additional crews are being dispatched to attempt to bring the blaze under control.
A spokesperson for IRT William Gardens, directly opposite, said staff were monitoring the situation in consultation with the RFS, and have no immediate plans to evacuate residents.
UPDATED 2:35 PM: Fire crews are working to contain a blaze that has broken out next to Kanhooka Road at Brownsville.
The fire is bounded by Kanahooka Road, the M1 on-ramp and the M1. Three fire trucks and crews are on scene.
The Rural Fire Service said the blaze is being conrtolled, and remains at advice level despite intense winds.
A gust of 113km/h was reported at Port Kembla, 100km/h in Wollongong and 93 km/h in Kiama.
There are extensive power outages at Fairy Meadow, Balgownie, Warilla, Kiama Downs, Lake Illawarra, Coniston, Albion Park, Shellharbour, Shell Cove and Oak Flats.
Wollongong Waste and Resource Recovery Park is closed to the public today due to the strong winds and high risk of airborne projectiles. Kiama’s Farmer’s Market has been cancelled.
Crown Street in Wollongong has been closed between Railway Parade and Keira Street due to falling debris.
Reports of scaffolding hanging from the old Westpac Bank building in Manning Street, Kiama.
Emergency services were called to Barrack Heights Public School due to the threat of a tree falling on a classroom. A Department of Education spokesperson said no one was hurt and the school remains open.
Residents of a Rawson Street building have been evacuated due to facade shaking. Rawson Street, Waters Place and Crown Lane remain closed.
UPDATED 12:39 PM: Powerful winds lashing the Illawarra have blasted sheets of metal off the roof of a petrol station on Foley Street in Gwynneville.
Endeavour Energy has reported 61 power outages affecting more than 6000 people across Albion Park, Oak Flats, Shellharbour Village, and Shell Cove.
A wind gust of 113km/hr was reported at Port Kembla at 12:30.
More information as it comes to hand.
EARLIER 10:30 AM: Rawson Street, Waters Place and Crown Lane in Wollongong are closed due to a loose facade on a commercial building.
A NSW Police spokesperson said they were called shortly before 10 am on Wednesday (28 August) with reports the western side of a building on Rawson Street was swaying.
The spokesperson said police had called NSW Fire and Rescue and blocked off Rawson Street, Waters Place and Crown Lane for safety reasons.
At this time evacuations have not been necessary; however police remain on scene in case the situation deteriorates.
A NSW Fire and Rescue spokesperson said crews were on scene and investigating.
“If the structure is deemed loose we or NSW SES will make it safe,” the NSW Fire and Rescue spokesperson said.
The NSW SES has already received 74 calls for assistance across the South East zone, and anticipate more as high winds continue throughout the day.
SES South East zone duty commander Dylan Whitelaw urged residents to secure any loose items around the house and keep people, pets and cars well clear of trees.
“Todays calls have mostly been reports of trees on roads, powerlines and rooves,” he said.
“Winds are expected to continue until 6 pm with pretty significant wind speeds and gusts of up to 90km per hour predicted.
“It’s always important for people to prepare, secure loose items outside, trim branches, move the car out from underneath trees, and clean gutters.
“If you need any assistance call NSW SES on 132 500.”
More to come.
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