On the 8 June 2007, Piles Creek was in flood from heavy rain associated with an east coast low. The Old Pacific Highway where it crossed Piles Creek was damaged by the excessive rain and the underlying metal pipes that were corroded. The resulting erosion of soil undermined the road surface. A section of the road collapsed leaving a gap 10 m wide and a 30 m deep culvert where five people were killed in a car travelling on the highway at the time.