SES crews continue to clean up the region after intense winds on Wednesday (28 August). Gusty conditions are forecast to return on Friday (30 August). Photo: NSW SES.
Two Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters were taken to hospital on Wednesday (28 August) suffering smoke inhalation, after crews gained control of a large grass fire at Brownsville.
The blaze broke out in grassland behind the northern on-ramp of the Princes Highway in Kanahooka Road, just before 2:30 pm.
Fanned by intense winds, flames jumped a median strip and set fire to adjacent bushland. The M1 was closed in both directions for some time.
Seven Fire and Rescue trucks were deployed, including a FRNSW bulk water tanker, and additional appliances from the Rural Fire Service, at the height of the blaze.
Together, the crews fought the 200-metre-long fire from several directions and gained the upper hand.
They have since begun mop-up operations.
It’s not yet known how the fire started.
Wind gusts of more than 100 km/h were recorded in the Illawarra on Wednesday, and NSW SES crews attended 620 incidents in the South East Region alone.
Incidents include fallen trees and powerlines, damaged roofs and properties. Strong gusts dislodged roof tiles and windows from buildings in Wollongong, Gwynneville, Barrack Heights and Kiama.
Extensive power outages were reported at Woonona, Fairy Meadow, Balgownie, Warilla, Kiama Downs, Lake Illawarra, Coniston, Albion Park, Shellharbour, Shell Cove and Oak Flats.
Roads were cut in many areas as the clean-up continues.
The storm may not be over yet.
A severe weather warning has been issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, with damaging winds expected to redevelop in eastern and southeastern parts of the state from tonight (29 August) into Friday (30 August).
For eastern parts of the state including the Illawarra and Tablelands, damaging winds averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of around 100 km/h are possible from Friday morning, easing during Friday evening.
Locations that may be affected include Wollongong, Nowra, Bowral, Batemans Bay, Katoomba and Goulburn.
The NSW SES advises that people should:
• Move vehicles under cover or away from trees
• Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony
• Keep at least eight metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences
• Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall
• Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill
• Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires
• For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.
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