UPDATED 3:30PM: The Bureau of Meteorology has released a severe thunderstorm warning for damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall for the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast, Hunter, Illawarra and parts of South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Snowy Mountains and Northern Tablelands forecast districts.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds, heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours.
Locations which may be affected include Lismore, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Scone, Nowra, Bowral, Kyogle, Yamba, Maclean, Woolgoolga, Sawtell and Dorrigo.
Meldrum in Mid North Coast reported 29 millimetres of rain in 30 minutesbetween 1:15pm and 1:45pm. Cawongla in Northern Rivers reported 32mm/30min between 2:30-3pm.
While a 76km/h wind gust was reported at Evans Head AWS at 2:38pm. There was also a report of wind damages in Yamba at about 1:50pm.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
- Move your car under cover or away from trees.
- Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
- Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
- Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid on 131 388, or Endeavour Energy on 131 003 or Essential Energy on 132 080, as shown on your power bill.
- Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
- Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.
- If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
- Unplug computers and appliances.
- Avoid using the phone during the storm.
- Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.
The next warning is due to be issued by 6:25pm.
Kim Chappell
As Senior Producer - Digital for ACM's regional titles I assist newsrooms in digital best practice. Before this role, I was the digital journalist with ACM's national team and prior to that, the digital specialist with ACM's Agricultural division. I started as a general rounds journalist with The Land in 2006, moving up to hold the title of chief of staff before switching to digital reporting in 2015.
As Senior Producer - Digital for ACM's regional titles I assist newsrooms in digital best practice. Before this role, I was the digital journalist with ACM's national team and prior to that, the digital specialist with ACM's Agricultural division. I started as a general rounds journalist with The Land in 2006, moving up to hold the title of chief of staff before switching to digital reporting in 2015.
