NSW weather: Hail, rain across the state as tornado clean-up begins
A fast-moving storm triggered hail and rain in Sydney and parts of NSW on Friday as communities flattened by cyclones began the arduous task of cleaning up the damage.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A flash storm triggered hail and heavy rain in parts of Sydney and NSW on Friday, as residents in the tornado-stricken towns of the Central West pick up the pieces of their damaged homes.
The Bureau of Meteorology earlier issued a warning for hail, damaging winds, heavy rain and the risk of flash flooding in Sydney and parts of northern NSW.
Residents in Blacktown and Parramatta and across the Central Tablelands and Illawarra all reported severe weather with hail and heavy rain pelting down as a flash storm swept across NSW.
The storm warning for Sydney was issued around 4.30pm but cancelled two hours later as the stormfront eased.
Severe #thunderstorms currently impacting #Sydney and surrounding areas. Reports of heavy #rain & #hail in parts. Be careful if moving around outdoors or driving. Storms are currently storms multiple parts of the state, with the risk continuing into tonight.@NSWSES@nswpolicepic.twitter.com/bsIXWVl7il
— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) October 1, 2021
Communities lashed by tornadoes on Thursday were also been placed on high alert with a storm warning in place across the north coast for much of the day, before it was cancelled later in the evening.
However, flood warnings remain in place in parts of the state after the deluge.
The wild weather was part of a large-scale weather system which caused two tornadoes, one near Bathurst and another in Narrabri, on Thursday. Another tornado was also reported in Mudgee.
Bureau of Meteorology duty forecaster Neil Fraser said the worst of the wild weather is over, with no reports of tornadoes on Friday and conditions set to clear for the weekend.
“The wind profile wasn’t favourable for a tornado. The worst of it is over. Tomorrow things will clear up. We’re expecting some showers but they’re not looking severe and Sunday should be dry for most of the state,” he said.
Clean-up begins in tornado-hit towns
Meanwhile, tornado-hit community members banded together with local emergency services teams in the hardest-hit areas of Clear Creek and Peel, northeast of Bathurst, and Meadow Flats, west of Lithgow, to conduct a large clean-up of heavy debris.
The low-pressure system travelled extensively across the state, causing wild weather and hail storms in Western Sydney and injuring three people on Thursday. It is expected to hit parts of Queensland over the weekend.
Meadow Flat equestrian and young mum Julia Salon launched a GoFundMe page pleading with the community to assist her family with repairing their severely damaged home that was flattened by the tornado.
“[A] freak tornado ripped through [my] family property in Meadow Flat destroying one home and stable block and sheds and caused extensive damage to [the] second home. Plus, damage to fencing and other structures,” her fundraising blurb read.
“Any donations will be greatly appreciated by our young family.”
Ms Salon also requested donations to help pay for the family dogs’ vet bill who was reportedly thrown metres into the air when the tornado passed through and is “fighting for her life at the vets”.
Another resident living near the Canberra border in Royalla NSW told Facebook users they experienced a “mini tornado rip through” their rural property just before 4pm on Thursday, cutting a “path of destruction” in the space of 15 seconds.
Other near misses were reported by cafe and hotel owners in the major regional towns of Bathurst and Lithgow who fortunately escaped the chaos of the storm.
National Australian Bank (NAB) pledged financial support and extra assistance to customers affected in the Central West region announced through their Twitter account on Friday morning.
Got a news tip? Email weekendtele@news.com.au
‘Who’s who’ of Sydney’s east eyeing off prime Oxford St listing
A treasured family-owned gift emporium on one of Sydney’s most iconic streets is on the market, with a “who’s who of the eastern suburbs” reportedly among those eyeing off the coveted location.
Money for nothing: Locals fume over rate hike shock
A rates hike has left Mid-North Coast locals in disbelief with one questioning whether his town sees any benefit at all with the money all going to Port Macquarie pet projects.