Hazardous conditions along the coast of NSW are predicted from today, Friday, May 28, along the NSW coast including the North Coast.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a hazardous surf alert and is warning of possible damaging surf and gale force winds along the NSW coast, coinciding with extreme high tides over the next few days.
‘We are going to see a major increase in swell over the weekend,’ Jimmy Keough, State Duty Officer Surf Life Saving NSW (SLS) told The Echo.
‘We are going to see the swell in some areas up to six meters. The Byron coast [Ballina to Tweed] has a hazardous surf warning from today, Friday, through to at least Monday, with a possible extension.
‘It will be very spectacular but will be a period of high threat to anyone who enters the water.
‘It is a southeast swell, a big groundswell moving up from the south. There is a coastal erosion threat with possible further erosion on the coast. We are asking people not to enter the water and take care along coastal foreshore,’ he said.
Mr Keough emphasised that conditions will be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, boating, surfing and swimming. 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.
‘SLSNSW resources have been placed on standby. However, the extreme wind and surf conditions will limit the ability of lifesavers to come to people’s aid. We are asking people to be smart about what they do. Have a look but don’t put yourself at risk.‘
Visit beachsafe.org.au or download the Beachsafe App, to find patrolled locations and up-to-date beach conditions.