A storm struck the Kiama Municipality and surrounding areas on 15 January, bringing flashes of lightning and heavy rainfall. As a result of the extreme weather, a large tree fell across Saddleback Mountain Road, blocking traffic and leading to the closure of the road.

In a Facebook post, the Jamberoo Rural Fire Service confirmed that the road was closed “between the water tower at the junction of Saddleback and Old Saddleback Roads up to the junction with Fountaindale Road.” 

They advised residents that access to Wilson’s Lane and Williams Road could only be reached via the Fountaindale Road route. Additionally, due to the extent of the damage, the road may remain closed for some time before it is cleared.

By 12:30pm on 16 January, the Jamberoo Rural Fire Service provided an update confirming that the road remained closed. They also noted that future updates would be issued by Kiama Council, which is working to resolve the situation.

The powerlines on Saddleback Mountain Road are also down.

The Bureau of Meteorology forecasted that the remainder of 15 January would be partly cloudy, with a slight chance of evening showers and a potential thunderstorm in the northern areas during the early afternoon.

The Bugle will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available. In the meantime, we urge drivers to stay alert for road closures and other safety concerns as the storm’s effects continue to unfold.