Severe damage was caused to the community of Dunoon near Lismore last Friday as the result of a severe thunderstorm that generated a tornado. Significant damage was caused to the local primary school and the Anglican church as well as number of residential properties and an electrical sub-station. In total the SES has received 116 requests for assistance from the public as a result of the storms last Friday in the north east of the state.
According to the Honourable Verity Firth, Acting Minister for Emergency Services, the damage was sufficient to warrant a natural disaster declaration for the Lismore City Local Government area - the second this month.
Lismore City SES has been supported in the response by SES teams from Dorrigo, Murwillumbah, Kyogle, Ballina, Grafton, Yamba and Glen Innes. Also assisting were the Rural Fire Service, NSW Fire Brigades, Ambulance Service of New South Wales, Police, Country Energy, the local Lismore City Council and DoCS.
With further severe storms possible over the next few days the SES is urging residents in New South Wales to carry out storm preparation actions and to ensure their safety during storms.
Further information on storm preparation and safety can be found on the SES website.
