Eurobodalla bushfires community update – Saturday 4 January, 8.15am
Fires
Conditions today Saturday 4 January 2020 are predicted to be as bad or worse as New Year’s Eve. There is a significant amount of uncontained fire between Batemans Bay and the Victorian border. Forecast north-westerly winds will drive fire towards the coast, becoming more active from mid-morning. Planning is in place to ensure firefighting resources are located where they are most needed.
The clear priority of NSW RFS is always the protection of life and property, in that order. Given the circumstances we are facing today, the best way to achieve that is to have as many people as possible safely out of harm’s way, as early as possible. Knowing this in place means firefighting efforts can be directed to protecting properties. Contrary to misinformation getting around, towns are not being left undefended - we are just ensuring that additional resources are deployed strategically to provide optimal coverage.
The RFS fire prediction map is attached. Monitor Fires Near Me NSW, Live Traffic and local radio for the latest updates.
Eurobodalla residents
Emergency services need you to make a decision now. Unless you are prepared to the highest level to defend your home, residents living outside the main town centres of Narooma, Moruya, Tuross Head and Batemans Bay should leave immediately for their closest evacuation centre or town centre.
This includes residents living near bush on the outer fringes of main towns. Residents living in the main towns can stay in place and prepare to enact their bushfire survival plans.
Batemans Bay evacuation centre Hanging Rock Function Centre, Hanging Rock Place
Moruya evacuation centre Moruya Basketball stadium, in the showgrounds, Albert Street
Narooma evacuation centre Leisure Centre, Bluewater Drive
Tuross Head residents who live away from bush are advised to stay in place. If fire reaches the village, firefighting crews will be there to defend. Tuross Head Country Club is open 24/7 for residents who would like to take refuge. Tuross Head residents with a medical condition should go now to Moruya evacuation centre.
These four centres will be monitored by firefighting crews, and set up with NSW Police, health services, road crews, water and sewer crews, generators and food to provide services during and after the fires. You will have support from the combined agencies running the centres, as well as food, water, power, and the company and comfort of your community. Overflow arrangements are in place – there is room for everyone.
People with medical conditions
People with medical conditions should move to an official evacuation centre immediately. Please bring your required medication and copies of prescriptions. Do not present to the hospital unless you require immediate medical attention. The evacuation centres offer food, water, safety, company and St John’s Ambulance personnel.
What to take to the evacuation centre
Take a bag with medications, prescriptions, important documents, precious items, wallet, phone and charger, clothing for all seasons and toiletries for a few days. If you can, bring your own bedding - blankets, towels, swags, doonas, pillows – and your own food if possible.
People with babies and young children, please bring nappies, formula, baby food, toys and activities.
Small pets are welcome. Please bring pet food and bowls. Large animals can be accommodated under owner-care at Moruya Showground. Local Land Services reps are onsite to assist with animal welfare.
People with camping equipment may camp on the grounds of each evacuation centre. Pack up tents first thing this morning and store them in cars before the firefront arrives. Embers will burn tents and make it unsafe for others.
Register your whereabouts
Please register online with Register.Find.Reunite. Registering online so family and friends can find you without contacting response teams allows them focus on those most in need.
Travel
Fire is expected to cross the Princes Highway and roads leading to the coast, including George Bass Drive, North Head Drive, Bermagui Road, Hector McWilliam Drive, South Head Road, and Potato Point Road. Avoid unnecessary travel today. Leave now if you are moving into town.
Power
Please prepare for power to be lost on Saturday as fire activity increases. Generators are in place at the evacuation centres in Batemans Bay, Moruya and Narooma, and at the Tuross Head Country Club. They are also located to support critical infrastructure including water supply, hospitals and aged care facilities, and some petrol stations.
Water
Eurobodalla’s reservoirs have water and are being actively managed to direct water to the areas of most need. Water is safe to drink. Generators are in place to continue supply in the event of a power outage.
Fuel
Transport for NSW has prioritised fuel deliveries to the far south coast. Generators are in place in Batemans Bay, Moruya and Narooma to continue fuel provision in the likely event of a power outage from Saturday’s fire activity.
Visitors
Dangerous fire conditions are forecast today for the entire South Coast of NSW. If you are holidaying on the South Coast, particularly the area from South Durras to the Victorian border you need to attend an evacuation centre now. Do not come to the South Coast this weekend, it is not safe.
Closures for Saturday 4 January 2020
· Rex flights in and out of Moruya Airport cancelled.
· Moruya Markets cancelled.
· Eurobodalla lifeguards will not be on duty. Please assist emergency services and avoid swimming in the ocean tomorrow. This will be reassessed Sunday.
· Tips closed.
Community updates
Further updates from the Emergency Operations Centre are unlikely today until the fire has passed. Please rely on official information from Fires Near Me, Live Traffic and local radio.
