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Sydney Storms Cause Chaos: Power Outages, Flooding, and Fatality

Sydney Storms Cause Chaos: Power Outages, Flooding, and Fatality

Severe storms battered New South Wales (NSW) overnight, leaving a trail of destruction across the state. One man died, thousands of homes lost power, and emergency crews faced over 2,250 calls for assistance.

Widespread Destruction and Fatality

The storms brought torrential rain, damaging winds, and thousands of lightning strikes across NSW. Tragically, an elderly man in his 80s died when a tree fell on his car in Cowra, Central West NSW. Police confirmed the driver died at the scene.

In Castle Hill, emergency services rescued a person trapped in a vehicle after a tree fell on it. The storm also ripped the roof off a home in Carlingford, displacing 14 people who had to seek shelter overnight.

The wild weather triggered significant rainfall across the state. Eurobodalla recorded 127mm of rain in 24 hours, with 57mm falling in just 30 minutes. Other regions like Barlows Bay and Beaumont also received over 70mm of rain.

Figure 1: A house in Aberdeen, Upper Hunter, had its roof torn off during the storms. (ABC News: Amelia Bernasconi)

Storms Batter Sydney and Regional Areas

Sydney bore the brunt of the storms, with Weatherzone reporting 73,700 lightning strikes within 100 km of the CBD. Of these, 8,777 lightning bolts reached the ground, causing widespread damage and power outages.

Winds reached extreme speeds, with Williamtown recording gusts of 120km/h. Other areas like Sydney Airport, Scone, Dubbo, and Cowra experienced winds exceeding 100km/h. The storm also brought hail and flash flooding to several parts of the state.

Several towns, including Mandurama, Araluen, and Perisher Valley, saw up to 30mm of rain in just half an hour. The heavy downpour caused localised flooding and dangerous driving conditions.

Figure 2: A time-lapse photo shows multiple lightning strikes near Hill Top village in NSW’s Southern Highlands. (Credit: Brian Rapsey – Rhapsody Pictures)

Power Outages Impact Thousands

The Sydney storms caused massive power disruptions, with more than 143,000 customers losing electricity at some point. Ausgrid reported that around 100,000 homes remained without power on its network, which covers Sydney and the Hunter Valley.

An Ausgrid spokesperson described the storm as the most severe to hit Sydney in years, noting that more than 560 hazards were being assessed across the network. The damage was primarily caused by fallen trees and lightning strikes.

Endeavour Energy reported around 52,000 outages, later reducing to below 40,000 by early morning. Essential Energy, responsible for regional NSW, stated that more than 50,000 customers faced power cuts during the storms, with 15,600 still without power the following morning.

Also Read: Giant Hail and Strong Winds Batter Queensland Amid Outback Heatwave

SES Responds to Over 2,250 Calls

The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) responded to over 2,250 calls for assistance within 24 hours. More than 1,800 incidents required direct intervention, including clearing fallen trees and rescuing trapped residents.

The Sydney metropolitan area faced the highest number of callouts, with 679 incidents reported, followed by Hornsby and Karinga. Emergency crews worked tirelessly to clear blocked roads, downed powerlines, and damaged properties.

In Mudgee, a downed power pole sparked a fire that completely destroyed a home. Firefighters controlled the blaze before it spread to neighbouring properties. In St Leonards, a large tree fell on a hospital, requiring immediate intervention to secure the area.

Severe Weather Forecast Continues

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has warned of continued severe weather, with Sydney storms expected to persist throughout the week. Thunderstorms, locally heavy rain, damaging winds, and flash flooding remain possible.

A flood watch has been issued for several river systems, including:

  • Orara, Coffs Coast, Bellinger, and Kalang River Catchments
  • Manning and Gloucester Rivers
  • Myall River and Karuah River
  • Wollombi Brook and Lower Hunter
  • Paterson and Williams Rivers

The BOM expects widespread rainfall between 30mm to 80mm, with isolated areas potentially receiving up to 200mm. Friday is predicted to be the peak day for rainfall.

Damage Across Regional NSW

The storms also impacted regional NSW, with significant damage reported in Wagga Wagga, Dubbo, and Tamworth. Wind gusts above 100km/h brought down trees, damaging homes and infrastructure.

In Wagga Wagga, four people sustained injuries when strong winds overturned camping huts. Near Dubbo, a lightning strike ignited a fire close to a gas leak, which fire crews managed to control.

Cheryl Clydsdale, a farmer in Rouchel, described waking up to find her hay shed completely destroyed, with equipment and hay scattered across her property.

Emergency Services Continue Restoration

Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy, and Essential Energy have deployed additional crews to restore power. However, the extensive damage means some areas may remain without electricity for several days.

The BOM explained that a massive cold front triggered the severe weather, with supercell thunderstorms forming along the line from the Queensland border to Tasmania. Some cells intensified and drew energy from surrounding storms, creating extreme conditions in isolated areas.

Safety Advisory

Authorities have urged residents to stay alert as storms continue. Swimmers and surfers should avoid the beaches due to strong winds exceeding 60km/h, creating hazardous surf conditions.

The SES advises staying indoors during severe storms and avoiding floodwaters. Residents should report any hazards to local authorities and prepare emergency kits in case of further disruptions.

The Road Ahead

The cleanup continues across NSW as emergency services work tirelessly to restore power and clear debris. With more Sydney storms forecasted, residents are urged to stay vigilant and prioritise safety.

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