Taree rain storm: malls evacuated, roofs collapse

Two malls are closed amid reports that ceilings have collapsed as a wild rain storm lashed a Mid-North Coast town on Monday afternoon.

Two malls are closed amid reports ceilings have collapsed as a wild rain storm lashed a Mid-North Coast town on Monday afternoon.

Crystal Wilson had been shopping at the Manning Mall in Taree after 4pm and was waiting for the rain to ease before going out to her car.

“I was waiting so I could get to my car when a massive bang was heard, so I went to see what happened,” Ms Wilson said.

“I was greeted with water gushing down the walk way then saw the roof had collapsed out the front of Eddies Fresh Chickens.”

As she made her way back out to the exit she heard “another bang and screams” and saw the ceiling collapse in front of adjoining shops in the mall.

The Manning Mall ceiling collapsed in the storm on Monday afternoon. Picture: Facebook/ Tracy Oldham.

There are reports Taree Central Shopping Centre has also been closed due to storm damage.

The Taree storm event comes after a freak lunchtime deluge in Sydney caused chaos with flash-flooding, with cars swept away and traffic mayhem.

Brad Davy, from Driven Detail Mobile Car Detailing, captured the storm passing through Taree outside the movie theatre as cars sheltered on the side of the road.

Meteorologist Dean Narramore has warned that eastern and central parts of NSW would experience heavy falls that would continue until Tuesday.

“We could see widespread falls of 25mm to 50mm through … much of eastern NSW,” he said.

“And we could see even heavier falls through parts of central and southeastern parts of NSW, particularly where those storms tend to heavy rainfall and that can lead to flash and possible riverine flooding.”

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