One dead and multiple injured after tree collapse in northern beaches

One person has died and two others have been critically injured by a fallen tree in Sydney’s north after a severe storm cell passed through the region on Sunday afternoon.

Emergency services, including ambulance and the Westpac helicopter, were called to a car park on Ocean Street in Narrabeen after 3.30pm.

One person has died and two are critically injured after a tree fell down during a storm in Narrabeen.Credit: Nick Moir

“One person was declared deceased, while two others were critically injured and transported to Royal North Shore Hospital,” police said in a statement.

A resident reported hearing screams after the tree fell down and trapped multiple people.

There has also been severe damage in residential areas in Sydney’s northern beaches, with trees and powerlines down, as wind speeds reached about 130km/h.

Dee Why resident Nathan Lavers said he noticed a bit of rain seeping under the door to his balcony and started to step outside when he “heard a huge crash and the whole roof ripped off”.

Dee Why resident Nathan Lavers in his unit on Pacific Parade, Dee Why, whose roof was ripped off during the “microburst” , a severe storm downdraft often with winds exceeding 100kph. Credit: James Brickwood

“I half ran back, there was timber falling and I wasn’t sure if I should go back out or out down the stairs,” Mr Lavers said.

“I’ve never seen anything like it – it was more like a hurricane, it was that loud and strong.

“I literally moved in last Sunday. I’ve been here one week – it’s not ideal.”

NSW’s State Emergency Service received more than 270 requests for assistance from 3pm on Sunday and 70 SES members were in the field.

“Powerlines are down, roofs are impacted and trees are down, it was a massive storm,” Catherine Harding, a spokeswoman for SES, said.

She said further severe storm activity was expected and recommended that people stay away from powerlines and trees.

NSW Police said the area is still considered hazardous.

“There are more cells forming through parts of the Hunter over the next few hours of the afternoon but we’re not seeing any additional storms moving through Sydney at the moment, although there’s still the broad chance of storms into the evening,” meteorologist Jordan Notara said.

A roof has been ripped off a house in Dee Why during a storm in Sydney’s north.Credit: James Brickwood

Temperatures in Sydney hit 35.8 degrees on Sunday, with hot and humid conditions expected to continue into the night.

However, a cool change is expected just before sunrise.

“We’re looking at a minimum of 21 degrees so it’s going to be a warm night, it’s going to feel warmer than last night,” Stephen Stefanac, a meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, said.

“But when you go out in the morning, you’ll feel the change.”

Temperatures are expected to fall to a maximum of 27 degrees on Monday, followed by 29 degrees on Tuesday.

Residents in Dee Why are seen assessing the damage to an apartment block after a “microburst” , a severe storm downdraft often with winds exceeding 100kph ripped roofs off and uprooted trees from Dee Why to Narrabeen. Credit: James Brickwood

“The main message is that we’re in a more humid, summery period now, there’s another southerly change coming but it’ll cool down a bit by Thursday and then warm back up again on Christmas Day,” Mr Stefanac said.

He said there could be some mid-week afternoon showers and storms in the Blue Mountains, with a chance of rain near the coast.

Temperatures are forecast to reach tops of 28 degrees on Christmas Day.

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