Severe thunderstorms swept across The Hills and Hawkesbury, along with Metropolitan Sydney and parts of NSW, on Wednesday, 15 January, causing power shutdowns, fallen trees, and debris shutting down roads.
Emergency services have been dispatched to assist in clearing the roads. The NSW State Emergency Service reported that its members have responded to more than 3,000 incidents since the morning of 15 January.
SES crews are still on standby, as more weather changes are expected until Saturday this week.
Multiple brigades in the Hills and Hawkesbury, such as the Kenthurst, Blaxlands, Oakville, and Wilberforce, have attended and are still attending to a large number of calls.
The Rouse Hill Rural Fire Brigade responded to calls on John’s Rd, Halcrows Rd, and Cattai Rd regarding damage due to weather.
Glossodia RFB answered to downed trees on Bull Ridge Rd on Wednesday evening. Glossodia crews also helped Kurrajong RFB and Kurrajong Heights RFS members in opening Burralow. Kurrajong Heights crews also cleared trees on Bull Ridge Rd.
In Carlingford, the roof of a property was ripped off, resulting in 14 people requiring alternative accommodation. Meanwhile, a fallen tree trapped a person inside a car in Castle Hill.
Obstructions were also reported on Glenorie, Dural, Box Hill, and Kenthurst, among others.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, a cold front moved eastwards coupled with a low-pressure trough, thus creating an environment conducive to severe thunderstorms. The storms covered and affected parts of South-east Queensland all the way down to eastern Victoria.
The ACT was hit the most, as strong gusts, heavy falls, thunder strikes, and hail brought down powerlines and trees and caused damage to property.
On Wednesday evening, the BOM released a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for parts of the Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury, Maitland/Cessnock, Sydney, Wollondilly/Wingecarribbee and Greater Newcastle areas.
Across the state, the SES has reported that more than 143,000 connections have experienced power outages.
Endeavour Energy vowed to restore power to 55,000 customers impacted by the storms in the Blue Mountains, Western Sydney, Illawarra, and the South Coast. As of Thursday, 16 January, 37,000 homes had been restored, and crews continue to restore the rest.
The energy operator cautions people not to approach power lines and damaged electrical equipment.
On Thursday, the storms have been moving out into the Tasman Sea and are developing into a low-pressure system. It will remain off the northeast coast of the NSW and is expected to move up north off the coast near Brisbane on Saturday.
Falls of up to 150mm are still expected until Sunday on NSW coasts, including Sydney.
Residents are advised to report life-threatening emergencies to 000. For help with storm damage, dial 132 500.
