Elisha Humphreys is four weeks away from reopening her Taree cafe that was badly damaged by flooding at the end of May.
As another storm pummels New South Wales, she says the community is “on edge” about the dangers posed by the vigorous coastal low that is expected to worsen overnight into Wednesday.
“We’re just hoping we don’t get any damage from the winds and we don’t get affected in any way,” the owner of the Boathouse Cafe says.
The cafe’s outdoor furniture is secured inside as structural work on the building continues. But still, the coastal low is unwelcome news.
“Everyone’s just a bit over the weather. When you’re trying to rebuild, it’s the last thing you want to hear.
“When you lose money before you’ve even reopened, it’s a bit hard – everyone’s a bit on edge.”
Millions of NSW residents – from Coffs Harbour to Batemans Bay – were bracing on Tuesday for the dynamic and fast-moving storm to worsen. Authorities said it would deliver up to 250mm of rain in places and flash flooding.
The SES advised people along the Sydney coastline from Collaroy to Bulli to “stay indoors” due to damaging and destructive winds. A similar warning was in place for residents in Jervis Bay, Ulladulla and Batemans Bay.
Taree residents were hoping to be spared both flash and riverine flooding but were warned of high winds.
Jihad Dib, the NSW emergency services minister, said the state was still dealing with the impact of May’s flooding events.
The incoming system was “different”, he said on Tuesday afternoon.
“This one will be a much more intense and a much sharper system,” Dib told reporters.
“It may seem pretty bad [now] but the terrible thing is that the situation is going to worsen over the course of the next 24 hours, particularly later this afternoon and into the evening [and] tomorrow.
“So once again, we’re asking people to be as prepared as they possibly can be.”
In Raymond Terrace near Newcastle, residents are watchful.
Alana Harris, who works at the Riverhouse Cafe, says the rain isn’t too bad on Tuesday but she is ready for worse to come.
The cafe remained dry in May because the building is raised but it was forced to close during the floods – staff were unable to reach work due to road closures. Nearby homes were inundated.
Facing another weather event just weeks on is unexpected, Harris says.
“It’s a bit different to what we’ve experienced in the past – just an unlucky time of the year, I suppose.”
The state’s south coast was forecast to feel the brunt of the storm later than up north.
The SES’s “stay indoors” warning for Bulli to Collaroy takes in the Scarborough Hotel, just north of Wollongong.
Michael, a staff member, says conditions are “not too bad” on Tuesday. But they are holding their collective breath.
Lea Rogers, a receptionist at Jervis Bay Holiday Park, says the park is preparing for heavy rain and has closed some camping sites prone to waterlogging.
In Vincentia, which is more exposed to southerly winds, Lemontree Cafe owner Jason Exner reports overcast skies and drizzle “but that’s it”.
“We’re in a bit of a lull down here,” he says on Tuesday.
For now, Humphreys remains sanguine.
“We’ve had to bunker everything down – and we’ve just got to keep positive at this point,” she says.
“You’ve got to prepare for the worst but hope for the best. You’ve got to hope that you don’t fall before you can get up again.”
