This deadly storm just left thousands powerless—is your home at risk?
By
Gian T
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The tranquillity was violently disrupted as a deadly storm tore through a state, leaving a trail of destruction, one fatality, and over 100,000 residents grappling with the aftermath of power outages.
The tempest, which unleashed a barrage of thunderstorms, torrential rainfall, and fierce winds, has raised questions about our preparedness for such natural calamities.
The storm's ferocity was evident in the continuous lightning that illuminated the skies for hours and the tropical rain that inundated train stations, transforming them into impromptu waterfalls.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has not offered much solace, forecasting more heavy rain and strong winds expected to batter the state throughout the day.
Radar footage captured the monstrous storm stretching an astonishing 1000km from Glen Innes in the north to Eden on the Victorian border.
In a tragic turn of events, a man in his 80s succumbed to the storm's wrath in Cowra, Central West NSW, when a tree, uprooted by the relentless winds, crashed into his vehicle.
The State Emergency Service (SES) has issued a stern warning, advising residents on the state's far south coast to remain indoors after a staggering 63mm of rain was recorded in just one hour at Eurobodalla.
‘We are expecting further thunderstorms today, and we’ve also got concerns about our weather front that’s going to impact the northern part of the Mid North Coast and the north-east of the state over the next couple of days, a lot of rain coming there,’ NSW SES chief superintendent Dallas Burnes said.
The BOM has also warned of 'large and powerful' surf conditions, adding to the litany of challenges faced by NSW residents.
While the severe thunderstorm warning has been lifted, the worst of the storm may have passed, but the BOM predicts a washout weekend ahead, with relentless rain expected in Sydney until at least Monday night.
Burnes expressed concerns for holidaymakers in the state's north, where an additional 30-80 millimetres of rain is predicted to fall.
Campers near bodies of water on the North Coast, Mid-North Coast, and Central Coast have been urged to brace for severe weather.
The power outage situation remains dire, with Ausgrid reporting 120,000 customers without power and 300 'electrical hazards' identified, primarily north of Sydney.
‘Extra emergency crews will continue working throughout the night to remove a significant amount of debris, attend to hazards to make areas safe and work to restore power as soon as possible,’ Ausgrid announced.
‘Due to the extent of the damage and the widespread nature of this event, the majority of customers impacted are likely to be out until tomorrow at the earliest.’
Essential Energy has reported 30,000 customers without power in various regional locations, including Bathurst, Coonabarabran, and Wagga Wagga.
Endeavour Energy has also reported significant customer impact.
Property damage has been widespread, with reports of destroyed homes, flights delayed, and nearly a thousand calls for help to the SES.
The storm has wreaked havoc on infrastructure and compounded the misery for Sydney commuters, who are already facing a challenging week due to train strikes.
Members, we urge you to take all necessary precautions during such events.
Check in with neighbours, particularly those who may need extra assistance, and remember to report any power outages or emergencies to the appropriate services.
We'd love to hear from you about your experiences and any tips you might have for staying safe during severe weather. Please share your stories in the comments below, and let's support each other through these challenging times.
The tempest, which unleashed a barrage of thunderstorms, torrential rainfall, and fierce winds, has raised questions about our preparedness for such natural calamities.
The storm's ferocity was evident in the continuous lightning that illuminated the skies for hours and the tropical rain that inundated train stations, transforming them into impromptu waterfalls.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has not offered much solace, forecasting more heavy rain and strong winds expected to batter the state throughout the day.
Radar footage captured the monstrous storm stretching an astonishing 1000km from Glen Innes in the north to Eden on the Victorian border.
In a tragic turn of events, a man in his 80s succumbed to the storm's wrath in Cowra, Central West NSW, when a tree, uprooted by the relentless winds, crashed into his vehicle.
The State Emergency Service (SES) has issued a stern warning, advising residents on the state's far south coast to remain indoors after a staggering 63mm of rain was recorded in just one hour at Eurobodalla.
‘We are expecting further thunderstorms today, and we’ve also got concerns about our weather front that’s going to impact the northern part of the Mid North Coast and the north-east of the state over the next couple of days, a lot of rain coming there,’ NSW SES chief superintendent Dallas Burnes said.
The BOM has also warned of 'large and powerful' surf conditions, adding to the litany of challenges faced by NSW residents.
While the severe thunderstorm warning has been lifted, the worst of the storm may have passed, but the BOM predicts a washout weekend ahead, with relentless rain expected in Sydney until at least Monday night.
Burnes expressed concerns for holidaymakers in the state's north, where an additional 30-80 millimetres of rain is predicted to fall.
Campers near bodies of water on the North Coast, Mid-North Coast, and Central Coast have been urged to brace for severe weather.
The power outage situation remains dire, with Ausgrid reporting 120,000 customers without power and 300 'electrical hazards' identified, primarily north of Sydney.
‘Extra emergency crews will continue working throughout the night to remove a significant amount of debris, attend to hazards to make areas safe and work to restore power as soon as possible,’ Ausgrid announced.
‘Due to the extent of the damage and the widespread nature of this event, the majority of customers impacted are likely to be out until tomorrow at the earliest.’
Essential Energy has reported 30,000 customers without power in various regional locations, including Bathurst, Coonabarabran, and Wagga Wagga.
Endeavour Energy has also reported significant customer impact.
Property damage has been widespread, with reports of destroyed homes, flights delayed, and nearly a thousand calls for help to the SES.
The storm has wreaked havoc on infrastructure and compounded the misery for Sydney commuters, who are already facing a challenging week due to train strikes.
Members, we urge you to take all necessary precautions during such events.
Check in with neighbours, particularly those who may need extra assistance, and remember to report any power outages or emergencies to the appropriate services.
Key Takeaways
- A severe storm has caused one death and left over 100,000 people without power across New South Wales.
- Continuous lightning, heavy rain, strong winds, and extensive surf conditions have been reported, with the worst storm passing overnight.
- The State Emergency Service and the Bureau of Meteorology have issued warnings and advise caution, especially for travellers and those camping near bodies of water.
- Damage has been widespread, with reports of property destruction, delayed flights, and emergency services responding to thousands of calls for help.