Hazardous Surf Conditions Over Easter Weekend Lead to Tragedy in Australia
Over Easter, hazardous surf caused by a post-tropical system struck Australia, resulting in five deaths and two missing persons. The Bureau of Meteorology issued warnings, while surf lifeguards advised beachgoers to stay safe. The system also affected New Zealand, causing severe weather issues there.
Over the Easter weekend, a powerful post-tropical low pressure system in the Tasman Sea generated hazardous surf along Australia’s east coast, resulting in the tragic loss of at least five lives and leaving two individuals missing across New South Wales and Victoria. The remnants of ex-Tropical Cyclone Tam produced these large swells, significantly affecting beach safety conditions.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued Hazardous Surf Warnings for the southeastern Queensland coast and several New South Wales coastal regions, including Byron, Coffs, Macquarie, Hunter, Sydney, Illawarra, Batemans, and Eden Coasts. These warnings underscored the perilous situation as large waves were reported across multiple locations.
In New South Wales, emergency services responded to various incidents, including the drowning of a 58-year-old fisherman in Wollongong Harbour and a man swept from rocks at Green Cape. Another search was underway for a 24-year-old man missing after being washed into the sea at Little Bay Beach. Authorities urged visitors to remain vigilant at the beaches, particularly at patrolled locations.
On the Victorian coast, three individuals were washed away near San Remo, with emergency services confirming one death, while another person from the group remains unaccounted for. Responding to these fatalities, Surf Life Saving Australia urged holidaymakers to prioritize visiting patrolled beaches, citing the alarming statistic of 630 drownings at unpatrolled beaches over the last decade.
This severe weather was not confined to Australia; ex-Tropical Cyclone Tam also impacted New Zealand’s South Island, leading to strong winds and heavy rainfall, which caused numerous disruptions, including power outages and flooding. The Post-Tropical system’s interaction with another weather front continued to create unstable conditions into Sunday, further exacerbating the situation in both countries.
In summary, the Easter weekend witnessed significant loss of life due to hazardous surf conditions resulting from ex-Tropical Cyclone Tam. Five people have been confirmed dead, with active search efforts ongoing for two missing individuals. Beach safety remains a primary concern as authorities continue to emphasize the importance of visiting patrolled beaches to prevent tragic incidents in the future.
Original Source: watchers.news
