Trees down, power out as cold westerlies whip Coffs Coast

Just shy of 20,000 homes across the North Coast were without power after a wild wind storm tore across the area overnight. Here’s the latest.

Large trees have fallen like matchsticks and thousands of homes were without power as the Coffs Coast woke to survey the damage after a wild windy night.

The Coffs Harbour State Emergency Service (SES) was attending to scores of jobs, clearing fallen trees from properties and roads.

Dorrigo, Coramba and Bonville are among the hardest hit by winds which gusted at up to 100kph overnight, and the buffeting is forecast to continue throughout Tuesday.

SES Coffs Harbour deputy commander of operations, Ian Horncastle, said they were attending to some 30 jobs at lunchtime on Tuesday, with the first calls for help coming just before midnight on Monday.

“At 4am we had multiple jobs coming in,” he said.

The championship Bonville Golf Course copped a hammering. Picture: Josh Bartlett

The Coffs Harbour unit has five trucks attending to fallen trees, including one which came down on a home at Upper Orara, and another which was threatening to drop on a residence at Bonville.

Mr Horncastle said Bonville and Coramba had been particularly impacted, while a tree had also come down on the Pacific Highway.

Strong wind brought a tree down onto a house at Upper Orara. Picture: Coffs Harbour SES

Meanwhile, Essential Energy crews were working to restore power to affected customers.

Earlier in the day, Essential Energy workers investigated widespread reports of power outages, with lines brought down by the gales and vegetation tangled in the wires.

Approximately 17,700 homes and businesses were affected across the North Coast. In the latest update from Essential Energy at 4pm, this is the situation across the Mid-North Coast:

Power outages identified by Essential Energy across the Mid-North Coast as at 9.30am, May 31, 2022.

Coffs Harbour and surrounds, 700 customers affected

Crew still working to restore power to as many customers as possible however the customers in the following areas will not have their power restored tonight: Woolgoolga, Sandy Beach, Dairyville, Karangi, Upper Orara.

Grafton and surrounds, 803 customers affected

Power progressively restored to majority. 21 currently in Chambigne remain without power.

Nambucca and surrounds, 66 customers affected

A large tree brought down by wind on Coramba Rd. Picture: Coffs Harbour SES

Dorrigo and surrounds, 741 customers affected

Crew still working to restore power to as many customers as possible however customers still without power in the following areas will not have their power restored tonight: Dorrigo, Deervale, Dorrigo Mountain, Bielsdown Hills, Kalang, Bellingen, Rocky Creek, Tallowwood Ridge.

Kempsey and surrounds, 126 customers affected

Crews continuing with repairs to get as many customers back on tonight as possible.

Essential Energy crews have been deployed throughout the whole of the North Coast, and continue to assess the damage and start repairs where it is safe.

A large tree brought down by wind at Dorrigo. This picture was posted to Facebook by state Oxley MP Melinda Pavey.

Large machinery is needed in many locations to remove trees from powerlines and repair powerlines, poles and crossarms.

Essential Energy reminds everyone to stay at least eight metres away from fallen or damaged powerlines or power poles and to call them immediately on 132-080 if they spot damaged lines.

Customers can keep up-to-date with estimated times of restoration by visiting Essential Energy’s website at essentialenergy.com.au/outages-and-faults

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) updated a severe weather warning at 8.20am, for damaging winds rocking the Mid North Coast, Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Australian Capital Territory, Northern Tablelands and parts of the Northern Rivers, South Coast, North West Slopes and Plains and Snowy Mountains Forecast Districts.

A severe weather warning is in place for much of the NSW North Coast. Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology at 8.20am on May 31, 2022.

The BOM advises a deep low pressure system over the southwest Tasman Sea will maintain a vigorous westerly flow over NSW on Tuesday.

On the last day of autumn, the risk for damaging winds is highest on and east of the Great Dividing Range.

Of greatest concern is the risk of large trees falling, given the ground is soft and sodden after weeks of heavy rain across the Coffs Coast.

Strong wind brought a tree down onto a house at Upper Orara. Picture: Coffs Harbour SES

The BOM said damaging winds with peak gusts reaching up to 90 to 100kph are likely on and east of the Great Dividing Range, with gusts to 110kph possible on exposed higher ground.

Locations which may be affected include Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Taree, Newcastle, Sydney, Wollongong, Nowra, Armidale, Canberra and Goulburn.

The 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 at least eight metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.

* Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.

* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions.

* For emergency help call the SES on 132-500. If a situation is life threatening, dial triple-0.

The BOM also issued a sheep graziers’ warning at 6.30am on Tuesday.

Graziers are advised that cold temperatures, showers and strong westerly winds are expected during Tuesday and Wednesday. Areas likely to be affected include the Hunter, Northern Tablelands, Illawarra, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, South West Slopes, Riverina, Snowy Mountains and Australian Capital Territory forecast districts and parts of the Mid-North Coast, Metropolitan, South Coast, North West Slopes and Plains, Central West Slopes and Plains and Lower Western forecast districts.

There is a risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions.

“Needless to say it’s been a hectic night with the winds sweeping through the region,” local state MP Melinda Pavey posted to her official Facebook page.

“Thousands of homes are without power, trees have blocked a number roads and many residents have backyards and paddocks to clear up.”