Emergency repairs are in full swing across Northern NSW as crews push ahead of more predicted storms

Wild Boxing Day storms have left many residents in Northern NSW without power as crews push to restore power ahead of more predicted storms.

A tree that was blown over on top of a car at Uki in thunderstorms that ravaged Northern NSW on Boxing Day. Picture: Lismore SES

Boxing day thunderstorms have left a trail of destruction and power interruptions in the state’s north overnight as crews and residents repair and mop up fallen trees and clear debris from roadways.

Residents at Horseshoe Creek, Cedar Point, Georgica, Jiggi, Coffee Camp, and areas north of Nimbin are still without power while Essential Energy crews are in the process of fixing downed wires, snapped power poles, damaged equipment and multiple power faults.

An image taken in Casino of thunderstorms that ravaged Northern NSW on Boxing Day. Picture: Casino SES

Just under 2000 homes and businesses were affected by unplanned outages around 7pm last night, following the ferocious storm that swept through the area damaging parts of the electricity network across the Northern Rivers, an Essential Energy spokesman said.

“Strong winds and vegetation brought down powerlines, snapped power poles and damaged supporting equipment.

“Crews worked throughout the night restoring power to some customers where access was possible and it was safe to do so.”

Essential Energy crews from Grafton and Murwillumbah are supporting local crews today to bolster restoration efforts to get the lights back on as quickly as safety will allow.

Approximately 300 customers remain without power across the Northern Rivers.

“Essential Energy apologises for any inconvenience and reminds everyone to stay at least eight metres away from fallen or damaged powerlines or power poles and report immediately by calling 13 20 80.”

Trees were blown down in thunderstorms that ravaged Northern NSW on Boxing Day. Picture: Larisa Barnes

Lismore SES unit commander Cameron Stack said multiple crews were out last night and today in the Lismore LGA attending to about 25 calls for assistance.

“The crews are working through the list and clearing as many jobs as we can,” Mr Stack said.

He said crews were called to assist with downed trees that fell on homes and cars just outside of Lismore as well as on roads.

Jonathan How, forecaster with the Bureau of Meteorology said thunderstorms developing north of the Qld border slid into NSW and the Bureau saw a “decent move” of storms across the Northern Rivers District on Boxing Day.

He said Cawongla and Jiggi topped the rainfall with 39mm each with the heaviest falls coming right under the thunderstorms.

Thunderstorms approaching Lismore that ravaged the Northern Rivers on Boxing Day. Picture: Tilly Lawrence

“Ballina airport recorded the strongest wind gust of 67kph, with 65kph at Lismore, and 56kph at Cape Byron,” Mr How said.

“Generally this is pretty gusty with some of those cells moving through as well as that kind of moderate rainfall.

“For the rest of today there are possible thunderstorms anywhere north of Coffs Harbour and tablelands and also Grafton and Byron Bay up towards Tweed Heads.”

He said the risk of severe thunderstorms are more towards the far north-eastern corner of the state and into Qld.

“This is where we could see heavy rainfall, and strong winds but thankfully from tomorrow we will see conditions easing.”

Mr How said temperatures will be in the low to mid 30s inland and cooler on the coast yet thunderstorm activity is expected to return over the weekend leading into the new year.