News

Severe thunderstorms swept through the east of the state during Thursday night, bringing hail, damaging winds and heavy rain.

Hail of 3-5cm was reported in several locations, including the Blue Mountains, Lake Macquarie area and the lower Hunter Valley. Winds gusted to 82km/hr at Newcastle and 78km/hr at Sydney Airport. Heavy rain fell in several areas with the highest being 116mm at Brooman and 113mm at Bodalla on the South Coast. There were widespread falls of 30-60mm in the Illawarra, Southern Tablelands, Metro and Hunter areas.

The NSW SES received 262 calls for emergency help, with the worst affected areas being the Lake Macquarie, Lower Hunter and Lower Mid-North Coast areas. Areas particularly affected were Windellema near Goulburn and Nabiac near Taree. Damage being reported includes broken skylights and roof tiles, leaking roofs and fallen trees and branches.

NSW SES volunteers will be out today undertaking temporary property repairs. If you discover damage and require emergency help, call the NSW SES on 132500, or 000 if it is a life-threatening emergency.

This weekend should be fine in most areas- a perfect opportunity to prepare for future storms by cleaning gutters and downpipes and trimming overhanging trees and branches as well as checking that your roof is in good repair.