NSW weather: Sydney cleanup begins after freak Saturday storm

Parts of Sydney have spent much of Sunday cleaning up after a powerful thunderstorm saw thousands of residents lose power, trees brought down and a sailing tournament end in chaos.

Sydneysiders have had a busy start to Sunday, with a freak storm lashing thousands of homes and causing chaos across the city.

The SES received 789 calls in 24 hours from early in the evening on Saturday night and into Sunday morning, with heavy rain, damaging winds up to 100km/h and lightning causing havoc across the city.

Hornsby in Sydney’s upper north shore was hit hardest by the supercell, with the SES responding to 82 incidents across the suburb and extending into Hornsby Heights.

Ku-ring-gai followed with 72 incidents reported, then Hawkesbury with 57, Auburn with 55 and Sutherland 53.

Around 40,000 homes across Sydney and extending up to Newcastle, Central Coast and the Hunter went without power as tree branches fell across power lines.

⚠️STORM UPDATE⚠️Power has been restored to more than 40,000 homes & businesses after last night’s storm. Report outages & check power restoration times at https://t.co/oqc8bOHZEE. #SydneyStormpic.twitter.com/6UIPDI4W7w

— Endeavour Energy (@endeavourenergy) February 18, 2023

1/2: Storms continue to hit our network tonight & 30,000 customers in Newcastle, Hunter, Central Coast & Sydney are without power.

We apologise for the inconvenience. Crews are working through the night to restore the power as soon as it is safe to do so. pic.twitter.com/sPpuAjDRP5

— Ausgrid (@Ausgrid) February 18, 2023

Hundreds of outages still active across the state and three SES warnings are still in place.

FRNSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said there was “absolute carnage across the city” on Saturday night.

“There were heaps of incidents, dozens and dozens, trees on houses, minor flooding, numerous wires down and roofs pulled off across Sydney,” he said.

The large storm that moved across NSW yesterday evening, brought heavy rain and strong winds. #NSWRFS crews have been busy, assisting the @NSWSES in several areas. If you require assistance contact the NSW SES on 132 500. In a life-threatening emergency call Triple Zero (000). pic.twitter.com/WL0sjHUpIr

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) February 18, 2023

The storm saw a Sydney sailing tournament evacuated, with spectators and competitors seen running for cover as a deluge of rain and powerful winds tore through the competition on Saturday night.

The SailGP race had just finished in Barangaroo when the Canadian catamaran’s sail was swooped up by strong winds, battering it into a temporary structure next to the water.

Video of the dramatic incident showed spectators and SailGP crew scrambling to avoid the massive sail, which was attached to a small crane.

The area was evacuated as emergency services, including three Fire and Rescue trucks, responded.

Early reports said a few patients sustained minor injuries.

Wild winds cause havoc at the 2023 KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix on Saturday evening. Picture: Supplied

The catamaran sail crashed into a structure. Picture: Supplied

Mr Dewberry said the temporary structures set up for the race were “seriously damaged.”

In a statement, SailGP said they were forced to cancel Sunday’s event after the chaotic storm.

“After racing today at the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney, a major weather event occurred that has resulted in significant damage to the wing sails and at least one boat at the SailGP technical site.

“As far as we know, no one was seriously injured during the incident. As a result of the damage, SailGP has had to cancel racing for the second day of the Sydney event.

“A full assessment of the damage is underway but it is likely some of the future SailGP events may also need to be delayed.

“Further information will be released as it becomes available.”

Storm clouds form during the round 17 A-League Men's match between Macarthur FC and Newcastle Jets. Picture: Getty Images

The storm saw traffic lights around Sydney out completely or flashing yellow, and Northconnex was closed to motorists as the power outage impacted the tunnel and surrounding traffic lights, commuters were told to use Pennant Hills Rd instead.

Fallen trees also blocked train services in Pymble and Thornleigh.

Record breaking heatwave conditions could hit the state this weekend. Picture: Damian Shaw

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning for damaging winds in the Metropolitan, Illawarra, Central Coast, Blue Mountains and parts of the Central West.

It comes after a heatwave warning saw multiple sports events cancelled over the weekend.

Forecasters have warned Sydney could see its hottest days of summer with parts of the state expected to rise above 40C on Saturday.

Temperatures will go down to 30C on Sunday but then push up to 34C on Monday.

That could see Penrith recording it’s hottest day since summer last year.

Sydney’s CBD will be slightly more pleasant sitting at around 30C for the next couple of days and then 27C on Sunday before pushing back up towards the thirties to start the week. Lows will be around 20C.

In the state’s west it will likely be a scorcher, with Nyngan expecting 41C on Saturday. Dubbo is forecast to peak at 39C the same day, Hay should reach 42C on Friday and Tamworth will see 37C every day from Saturday until Tuesday.

The Bureau of Meteorology said the heat is being caused by a high pressure system over the Tasman Sea, extending up towards NSW.

Sporting events around the state have been postponed due to concerns over the extreme heat.

The junior match before the NRL Charity Shield between Illawarra Dragons and South Sydney Rabbitohs, to be held in Mudgee on Saturday, has also been cancelled. Mid-Western Regional Council said the cancellation was due to the expected hot weather.

Saturday’s Condoblin Picnic Races in central NSW have been moved to Bathurst.

Racing Australia said the 40C forecast prompted the decision to transfer the race to a city with lower temperatures.

Football NSW also put out an announcement recommending community sports for children be cancelled for areas that reach over 32C and 37C for adults.