Shocking pictures after destructive hit Sydney’s west

Strong winds have left a surfer swimming for his life after a huge wave wiped him out.

Terrifying footage has captured the moment a surfer came close to death after running into trouble off the rocks at a Sydney beach.

Stunned onlookers were left unable to help as the surfer was “cleaned up” by a large set near Tamarama Beach at high tide on Tuesday morning, breaking his leg rope and separating him from his board.

The surfer was pushed toward the potentially deadly rocks, managing to scramble on top of them before he was washed off by another mammoth wave.

After a “gallant” effort by a lifeguard to save him with a rescue tube and flippers, the surfer managed to make it to safety according to witness Bill Morris, who recorded the incident.

“After a bit of a beating, he eventually made it around the point into Bronte,” he said on social media.

Tamarama, known for its dumping waves which can be dangerous to swimmers, experienced a high tide of 1.7m and swell of 6.5ft at 10:30am this morning.

Strong winds experienced across the NSW coast on Monday and Tuesday helped to whip up the surf into a frenzy, with the roof of a shopping village in Sydney’s south-west ripped off in the dangerous gusts.

A blast of hot, dry air is sweeping across the east coast of Australia, waking residents in two states up to oppressive morning heat and wind damage.

Wind gusts of over 100 km/h were reported in Sydney on Monday night, sending trees toppling onto roads, pulling down power lines and whipping debris around the streets.

In tropical cyclones, wind gusts typically exceed 90 km/h at their centre, according to Geosciences Australia.

Cornerstone Cafe owner Michelle Gattellari seen outside inspecting the damage to the Bringelly Village where severe winds travelling up to 104km per hour wrecked havoc on properties. Picture: NCA Newswire /Gaye Gerard

Take Away food shop owner Kathy Chum looks at the roof collapsing at Bringelly Village. Picture: NCA Newswire /Gaye Gerard

Fresh and Faded Barber Shop Owner Haitham Sudany received a text that the roof of the building had blown off the building during severe winds. Picture: NCA Newswire /Gaye Gerard

Solar panels, roof picked up by cyclonic winds

The business owners at a village shopping centre in Sydney’s south-west were woken to the devastating news that the roof had been ripped from the rafters overnight as severe winds tore through the city.

Photographs show multiple solar panels and roof cladding scattered across the village carpark, while the bare skeleton of the roof is exposed to the conditions.

Fresh and Faded Barber Shop Owner Haitham Sudany said he received a text informing him the roof of the building had blown off the building during the winds.

Sydney airport is expected to close all but one runway soon as strong westerly crosswinds create problems for departing and landing flights.

“This decision is purely weather and safety-related to safeguard the travelling public,” an Airservices Australia spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Owner of the Bringelly Village, Domenico Gattellari stands outside his building which has 9 Shop tenants affected by the heavy severe storm that hit Sydney's West overnight. Photo by: NCA Newswire /Gaye Gerard

A blast of hot, windy weather lashes the east coast. Picture: Windy

“Airborne and ground delays are expected. It is recommended that passengers reach out to their airlines.”

More than 3,000 properties were without power on Tuesday morning, according to Ausgrid’s outage data.

Residents have reported trees falling and debris scattered over backyards after wind gusts stirred up loose material and discarded it over the city.

More than 3000 properties are without power in south Sydney. Picture: AusGrid

Trains are not running between Sutherland and Cronulla as of 9.20am due to a tree blocking the track at Cronulla.

Buses have not been available yet so locals are being urged to delay travel if possible or consider using other public transport services.

The line is expected to be closed for approx 30min.

Fallen trees and power lines resulted in the closure of roads in Hammondville, West Hoxton and Punchbowl earlier in the morning but has been cleared before 8am.

Fresh and Faded Barber Shop Owner Haitham Sudany is in shock at the damage to the Bringelly Village, where his Barber shop of only two months is located. Photo by: NCA Newswire /Gaye Gerard

Trees brought down in Sydney. Picture: 2GB

There have already been 230 calls to the NSW SES on Tuesday morning.

Sydneysiders getting a headstart on the day might get a shock when walking out the door as humid conditions send the mercury to 27C as early as 6am.

The heat is expected to keep temperatures up in both NSW and Queensland throughout the day before a southerly change comes through on Wednesday.

Residents share images of wind destruction at their home. Picture: 2GB

“The hottest air will then shift further north on Tuesday, with temperatures likely reaching the mid-to-high 30s in parts of northern NSW and southern Qld,” a Weather Zone meteorologist said.

It will create trouble for firefighters in both states where dozens of fires are burning out of control.

A total fire ban is in place in seven regions of NSW including Greater Sydney, the Illawarra and northern inland areas from Lightning Ridge to Armidale.

Extreme fire danger is forecast to wreck havoc on firefighting efforts in large parts of the state with 87 blazes still burning as of 7am.

Total fire bans and extreme fire danger. Picture NSW RFS.JPG

Queensland

A total fire ban is in place across about 80 per cent of Queensland, with 71 fires still burning as of 7am on Tuesday.

A total fire ban covers 80 per cent of the Queensland. Picture: QFES

A high of 34C is forecast for the capital city of Brisbane with a northeasterly wind expected to reach speeds of up to 30km/h by the middle of the day.

A smoggy haze may develop over the city skyline in the afternoon as wind gusts move bushfire smoke.