Eurobodalla bushfire update

Yesterday was a shocking and terrible day for Eurobodalla. We know many people have lost their homes and our hearts go out to them. Many are displaced and taking refuge at evacuation centres. Tragically, we know there have been three fatalities, at Cobargo and Belowra.

Emergency services are working to get power and roads restored as soon as possible and to get people back to their homes when safe. There are still things we don’t know, but a united emergency response team is in the field gathering information about the damage and this will be shared as soon as possible. For now, here are today’s practicalities.

Fires

Today’s weather means fire conditions have eased however they are predicted to deteriorate tomorrow. Saturday’s conditions are forecast to be as bad as yesterday’s. Please continue preparing your homes and yourselves. Fires Near Me and Live Traffic are up to date for those with access. Local radio continues to provide accurate information.

Visitors

We urge visitors to leave Eurobodalla via Narooma as soon as possible. It is in their best interests and the best interests of our community. Only leave now if you have enough fuel to get to Cooma. We will advise as soon as fuel is available in Narooma and Moruya.

Route: From Tomakin, travel south via George Bass Drive to Moruya. From Moruya, the Princes Highway is open to Bermagui. Take Bermagui turn off and travel via coast road to Tathra and on to Bega. These detours are signposted. The Snowy Mountains Highway, Brown Mountain, is open for travel to Canberra and west. Please travel calmly and obey traffic control.

Local roads

George Bass Drive, the coast from Moruya to Batemans Bay, is closed in some locations to clear trees from the road. There is access from Moruya to Broulee and Tomakin, and there is access from Batemans Bay to Malua Bay. All going well, the road should be completely open on Friday.

Power

Essential Energy continues to inspect power lines to restore power and telecommunications as soon as possible.

Fuel

We are trying to get generators to petrol stations in Moruya and Narooma so visitors can leave the shire. Batemans Bay roundabout Caltex is open using a generator.

Water

Eurobodalla’s town water supply is safe to drink. We have generators in place in the north of the shire to pump water from the treatment plant to reservoirs. We are working to do the same in the south. Please be especially frugal with your water use until further notice.

Updates as they come to hand.