The New South Wales State Emergency Service volunteers have had a busy night responding to 665 calls for assistance from the public. Fortunately the winds and thunderstorms slowed down overnight resulting in 15 jobs since midnight.

The intensity of the calls for assistance came in yesterday afternoon from 1:30pm when strong winds ripped across Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Hunter. Earlier yesterday morning the Illawarra and South Coast also experience strong winds resulting in calls from the public for help.

The majority of the 665 calls have been for trees and large branches falling on roofs of houses, roads and power lines and also roof damage.

In Roselands a large tree had gone through the roof of a 2 storey house with Canterbury SES Unit responding to the incident and working late into the night to remove the tree with a crane. Fortunately nobody was injured.

Damaging winds are forecast to continue today mainly affecting the southeast of the State into the afternoon.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Severe Weather Warning for damaging winds for people in the Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands and Snowy Mountains forecast districts.

Damaging winds around 50 km/h with peak gusts up to 100 km/h are forecast today for these areas.

Winds are most likely to ease into the evening for all areas except the Southern Tablelands.

The New South Wales State Emergency Service advises that people should:

• Move vehicles under cover or away from trees

• Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
• Keep clear of fallen power lines.

For emergency help in floods and storms call the NSW SES on 132 500 and if it’s a life threatening situation contact 000.