Hail, wild winds hit NSW after lightning near miss at Hunter Valley Resort

Wild weather has caused damage as strong winds and hail pelted parts of the state. This comes after five people were treated after a near-miss with a lightning bolt.

Severe thunderstorms have toppled trees and pelted hail across western Sydney as the wild weather continues to move along the east coast into Friday evening.

The Bureau of Meteorology expanded its earlier severe thunderstorm warning to include the entire east coast from Batemans Bay to Newcastle and further to the west just below Armidale, warning of large hail, damaging winds and heavy rain causing flash flooding.

Footage posted to social media revealed Sydney’s north west was pummelled by the fierce weather, with hail between 1-2cm pummelling residents in Northmead, Baulkham Hills, Erskine Park and Plumpton.

Clouds moving into Sydney as seen from Forest Lodge. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The suburb of St Marys saw wild winds bring down trees close to homes and onto Queen St, where a fallen gum tree blocked the main road through the suburb and knocked down a sculpture installation.

Fire and Rescue NSW crews were called in to remove the tree about 4.30pm and traffic resumed soon after.

Power lines were down across Old Northern Rd in Dural and traffic lights blacked out in Schofields, Rouse Hill, Glen Haven, Annangrove.

Newcastle, Gosford, Sydney, Wollongong, Nowra, Batemans Bay, Berowra and Terrey Hills are still within the firing line as the wild weather moves north.

At 4.40pm, severe thunderstorms were detected near Hornsby, Riverstone and the Yengo National Park northwest of St Albans.

Storm Clouds roll over Sydney Harbour on Friday. Picture: Damian Shaw

It comes as five people were left shaken earlier on Friday after a near miss with a bolt of lightning at a luxury resort in the Hunter Valley.

Paramedics were called to the resort at the corner of Hermitage Rd and Mistletoe Lane in Pokolbin around 12.30pm on Friday after a report a group of people had been struck by lightning.

âš¡SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNINGâš¡ For DAMAGING WINDS and LARGE HAILSTONES. Locations which may be affected include Penrith, Wollombi, Kulnura, Springwood and Bilpin.
⚠️Warnings: https://t.co/u9CvXMjhij
📡 Radar: https://t.co/CXxpPI3Ijg
🛰️ Satellite: https://t.co/IdOXsv482p pic.twitter.com/WYInPIx9cA

— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) November 20, 2020

An 18-year-old male, 19-year-old male, 38-year-old male, 42-year-old woman and 38-year-old woman were found suffering shock.

Paramedics said there was no direct strike, however the bolt had hit extremely close to the group.

One person was taken to Cessnock Hospital as a precaution due to a pre-existing condition.

A witness working across the road said loud thunder and clouds were rolling in when they heard a massive bolt of lightning snap nearby.

“We heard horrendous thunder. There was a storm moving through and then we heard a bang,” they said.