Beachfront homes along the New South Wales Central Coast have been left dangling over the ocean and in danger of collapse after powerful surf caused massive erosion.
A powerful low across Australia’s east coast earlier in the week created large swells and high waves battering some coastal areas.
The worst-hit suburb was Wamberal, where large beachfront homes have been significantly damaged as the sandy soil they were built on was stripped away.
On Friday morning the foundations of some homes were visible, hanging above the ocean metres below, while others had damage to their backyards and decks.
David Thomas Moore
(@PopcornDave89)More vision of the erosion happening now at Wamberal Beach @nbnnews pic.twitter.com/ndAwHRpHFX
Residents of some houses have evacuated after emergency services warned the structures could collapse.
SES controller Rolf Garda told the ABC it was the most significant erosion damage he had seen in 30 years.
Matilda Boseley
(@MatildaBoseley)From the Wamberal Community Group website. Erosion in 1978, not wholly dissimilar from what is happening in the same area today pic.twitter.com/a3cY6Bvj1t
“There’s always been impact on that area, but for some reason, this event has taken away far more land than we expected,” he said.
“We worked with council to walk up and down and talk to the residents and advised them of the potential dangers.”
Sarah Iuliano
(@sarah_iuliano)Massive swells have knocked over a large part of the dune at Wamberal Beach, leaving homes on a knife edge. Residents say urgent protection is needed against mother nature’s wrath.
📹 @PopcornDave89 @nbnnews pic.twitter.com/T6HvyQ1Own
Emergency services have attempted to mitigate the impact on the shoreline by placing large concrete blocks along the stretch of coast.
The erosion on the cost had been getting progressively worse over the last several days.
“A guy came in yesterday and he told us that his home was a metre away from going in. He was heartbroken … It’s so scary for some of the customers who live here,” said Amanda Keanelly, a worker at a local cafe.
She told Guardian Australia Ocean View Drive had been filled with curious people hoping to get a look.
More to come
