Hundreds of cars and homes damaged as massive hail rain down on The Hills
HUNDREDS of residents are in shock after the hail stones as big as tennis balls smashed into the Hills on Saturday afternoon.
Rouse Hill
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HUNDREDS of residents are in shock after the hail stones as big as tennis balls smashed into the Hills on Saturday afternoon.
The Hills State Emergency Service crews, assisted by Fire & Rescue NSW and Rural Fire Service, attended to more than 830 jobs in one day — more than the 600 jobs they handled for the whole of last year.
Nicole Greentree’s home on Donegal Pl, Rouse Hill, was battered by the hail stones but said it was much worse on the nearby street which she called a “war zone”.
Rouse Hill’s Ben Little heard a “massive bang, like explosions on my roof,” but it was not until his wife told him to check the cars, that he realised that the hail stones were causing havoc outside his McGuirk St home.
“It was very shocking as the windscreens on both our cars, the Toyota Camry and Ford Territory, were damaged with dents all over the bonnets and roofs too,” said the father of three.
“This is the worst (weather) I have seen with tennis ball-sized hail stones.”
A Rouse Hill mum added: “It’s the biggest hailstorm I’ve ever experienced.”
Ms Greentree’s home was on the receiving end of some big damage.
“We all had roof tile and car damage,” Ms Greentree said. “The exterior lights were taken off the walls.
“Our garden shed is pitted while our garage roof is sagging from the water that got in and our fly screens are ripped.
“My brother’s street over near the netball courts looked like a war zone, every car was smashed, every roof was damaged and even the render on houses was ripped off.”
Katie Moulton of the Sydney Western Regional Office for SES, said the damage was significant to many homes and vehicles, particularly in Rouse Hill, Beaumont Hills and Kellyville.
“The hail stones, ranging from the size of golf to tennis balls, caused the damage to vehicles and roofs, specially those with skylights,” Ms Moulton told the Rouse Hill Times.
“Roof tiles had been damaged and by Monday morning our crews had attended to 370 of the 830 jobs.
“We hope to complete all the jobs by later this week.”
SES crews from all over NSW beefed up the rescue effort with teams working through the day and night to provide relief. On Sunday, there were 80 crews at work.
According to the Insurance Council of Australia, they have had 15,000 claims from all over NSW, worth a total of $39 million, with cars and roof sustaining the most damage.
A spokesman for the council said they are unable to provide a breakdown of damage claims for the Hills.
Peter Payne of Endeavour Energy said there were no major disruption of power after the thunderstorms on Friday and Saturday.
On Friday, parts of Rouse Hill, Annagrove and Kenthurst lost power after a tree branch fell on the power lines, with electricity being restored within four hours.
On Saturday, 40 customers in Cemetry Rd, Riverstone lost power for four hours in the afternoon due to a lightning strike.
Residents also suffered water damage from leaking roofs while hundreds of vehicles left out in the open suffered damage in the worst affected suburbs.
For SES help: 132 500; Insurance claims process hotline: 1800 734 621.
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