Roof ripped off shopping centre and blackouts after ’supercell’ storm hits Sydney

A freak one-minute storm tore off a Sydney shopping centre roof and sent it flying towards a busy road, as storms caused chaos across the city.

A freak storm ripped the roof off a shopping centre in Sydney as destructive winds, giant hail stones and heavy rainfall swept across the city.

Two storms have knocked out power for thousands and causing chaotic conditions on the city’s roads — with trees falling on top of cars and smashing windscreens across western Sydney.

Motorists driving past Bringelly Village Shopping Centre in the city’s southwest were lucky not to have been seriously injured when the mall’s roof came flying off.

A one-minute storm swept through the area and sent debris flying towards the busy street below.

There have been no injuries reported from the scene. Picture: Channel Nine

The city’s south has been particularly badly hit — with trees falling across roads and onto cars.

A tree also fell onto a train at Sutherland and caused significant damage.

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for parts of the city, with residents reporting 4.5cm hail in the city’s south west.

A tree fell across the Big Dipper at President Ave in Miranda. Picture: Supplied

Hail, strong winds and lightning interrupted power to 2200 homes and businesses, Endeavour Energy said.

Properties in western Sydney, Macarthur, the southern highlands and the Illawarra remained without power after 7.30pm as emergency crews planned to work into the evening to make safe and repair damage from the storm.

Thousands were without power in Sydney’s south.

On Monday afternoon, the Bureau of Meteorology warned that “very dangerous” thunderstorms were detected on the weather radar near Campbelltown and Liverpool.

“These thunderstorms are moving towards the southeast,” it said in a warning. “Very dangerous thunderstorms are forecast to affect Sutherland, Bankstown and Darkes Forest by 5:30pm.”

âš¡âš¡ A Detailed Severe #Thunderstorm Warning for DAMAGING WINDS, LARGE, POSSIBLY GIANT HAILSTONES and HEAVY RAINFALL for parts of #Sydney, Gosford/Wyong & Greater Wollongong. For latest warnings visit: https://t.co/bKgH3U9x5k #NSWSES pic.twitter.com/pyoYgnS1LS

— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) January 20, 2020

It says other severe thunderstorms were detected on the weather radar near Brooklyn and Mona Vale. They are forecast to affect Palm Beach, waters off Palm Beach and Umina by 5:30pm.

“Damaging, locally destructive winds, large, possibly giant hailstones and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding are likely,” a warning from the bureau reads.

BOM Meteorologist Gabrielle Woodhouse told The Daily Telegraph two of the fronts sweeping through Sydney — just south of Liverpool and south of Gosford — could be considered “supercell” storms.

On Monday afternoon, a teenage boy was struck by lightning in the Blue Mountains.

The 16-year-old was hit while on the Giant Stairway Walking Track next to the Three Sisters at 2pm. He was treated for burns to his torso and lightning strike entry and exit wounds to his arms and feet.

Reports of 4.5cm hail at Oran Park in Sydney's south western suburbs at 3pm from the storm in the photo. Further storms possible in east NSW. Stay up to date with the latest warnings: https://t.co/bFccsmuG4D and be prepared with these tips from NSW SES: https://t.co/Cm6G24dej2 pic.twitter.com/frvJaaY3pi

— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) January 20, 2020

Big hail here in Campbelltown @spartytalkback pic.twitter.com/ozKNdSZO0j

— Carl Carlson (@WaughGreg) January 20, 2020

A 24-year-old man, who was leaning against a metal railing at the time, was also treated.

Both were taken to Nepean Hospital in a stable condition.

The State Emergency Service warns the storms are expected to cause “havoc” for peak hour commuters as the storm moves towards the coast.

The Bureau of Meteorology had severe thunderstorm warning across much of southeastern NSW on Monday – including Sydney, the Hunter, Illawarra, south coast and a number of inland regions. However, the warning has now been cancelled.

It comes after the nation’s capital was hit by a massive hailstorm. Victoria has also been issued a severe thunderstorm warnings with “heavy rainfall and large hailstones” expected to hit parts of the state.

Photos from Canberra show ice covering the roads and golf ball sized hail crashing through buildings.

A detailed severe thunderstorm warning was issued at 1.46pm for people in parts of Sydney, the Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury, Maitland/Cessnock, Gosford/Wyong and Wollondilly/Wingecarribee.

The storms are tipped to bring destructive winds, giant hail stones and heavy rainfall. Picture: BOM

“These thunderstorms are moving towards the southeast. They are forecast to affect Colo Heights, Bundanoon and Moss Vale by 2.15pm and Richmond, Riverstone and Branxton by 2.45pm,” the BOM said.

“Damaging winds and large hailstones are likely.”

Sky News Weather’s Rob Sharpe said “wild thunderstorms” will spread through central parts of NSW today.

“Particularly heading through central areas of the state, all the way out to the east, potentially in Sydney and the Hunter where supercells are a chance in that region with a dangerous scenario for large hail, damaging winds and heavy rainfall,” he said.

“We may even see some giant hail in some pockets.”

The low pressure system, “drawing humid air across eastern parts of the state causing widespread thunderstorm activity”, is expected to gradually move to the Tasman Sea on Monday night.

The State Emergency Service (SES) advises that people should, move their cars under cover or away from trees and stay indoors away from windows.

People in affected areas are also advised to keep children and pets indoors as well.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott said there is a risk of flash flooding in Sydney’s CBD this afternoon.

“I’m asking members of the community to take it easy on the roads this afternoon as these severe storms move across the State. Make sure you make safe decisions and take the time to plan your trip, check for road closures and traffic conditions before you get on the road,” he said.

Elsewhere in the state, fire danger is high in northern NSW, with total fire bans in place for a number of regions.

This all comes after a week of wet weather, with parts of NSW recording upwards of 100mm – the heaviest rainfall since September. Sydney alone has received 90mm in the past week.

Favourable conditions today across the state for more severe #thunderstorms , most likely from the afternoon. Thunderstorms will be fast moving and have the potential may bring damaging winds, large hail and burst of heavy rainfall as they quickly move across the landscape. pic.twitter.com/zTvk7gAg8D

— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) January 19, 2020

Downpours have provided relief for drought-stricken parts of the state, and helped firefighters slow the spread of bushfires and build containment lines ahead of increased fire danger midweek.

Winds will shift and come more from the north and west midweek, bringing drier and warmer air – and higher fire danger – on Wednesday and Thursday. But rain will return on Friday and the weekend.

Today’s storm warning comes as damaging winds from thunderstorms across central NSW on Sunday whipped up dust storms that turned daytime into night.

Videos posted to social media showed dust storms descending on Dubbo and nearby towns that were so thick they blocked out the sun.

A gust of 94km/h was recorded at Parkes about 6.30pm, while a gust of 107km/h was recorded at Dubbo about 7.45pm, the BOM said.

In addition to the advice above, if you are expecting to be impacted by today’s storms the SES recommends doing the following:

* Move your car under cover or away from trees.

* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.

* Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.

‼️As the severe weather sets in this afternoon around metro locations, commuters should monitor traffic conditions BEFORE the trip home.‼️

Take the time to plan your trip, check closures and traffic conditions before you travel. Visit @LiveTrafficNSW https://t.co/xiZqu4ppna pic.twitter.com/87p3MYMrTe

— NSW SES (@NSWSES) January 20, 2020

* Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.

* Unplug computers and appliances.

* Avoid using the phone during the storm.

* Stay indoors away from windows, and

* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.

NRMA Insurance has issued a statement to Sydneysiders and residents of NSW to be storm safe today, as its new research shows that more people are worried about damage to their property, such as their home (53 per cent) and vehicle (42 per cent), than their personal safety (40 per cent).

The NRMA Insurance research also reveals that almost a third (31 per cent) of NSW residents have entered or driven through a flooded road or area, despite this being against the advice of the NSW SES.

“While the rain that the East Coast faced over the last week has provided some welcome relief from drought and the bushfire crisis, we need to remember just how dangerous severe storms can be,” said Alex Mazzoni, NRMA manager.

“It is important that people keep safety in mind during severe weather. Simple things like moving your car under cover, driving more carefully and ensuring you and your family have a ‘Plan B’ to get home, are all small actions that can make a big difference.”