A powerful storm system has brought destruction and chaos to New South Wales, leaving one man dead and thousands without power.
The man, believed to be in his 80s, tragically died when a tree fell on his car in the town of Cowra on Wednesday afternoon.
The Storm’s Fury: Damaging Winds and Heavy Rainfall
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that the severe thunderstorms will continue to produce damaging winds, large hailstones, and heavy rainfall, potentially leading to flash flooding.
The storms have already caused significant damage, with wind gusts reaching up to 110kph across the state. In some areas, gusts have been even stronger, with 120kph recorded at Trangie and 113kph at Cabramurra.
Power Outages Affect Thousands
As the storm rages on, at least 130,000 people across NSW have been left without power.
Earlier in the day, over 10,000 people lost power in Wagga Wagga and surrounding towns. Essential Energy has reported “significant damage” to the electricity network, and emergency crews are working tirelessly to restore power to affected areas.
The areas most affected by power outages include Mudgee, Coonabarabran, and Gulgong, as well as suburbs in Sydney and the Hunter region.
Travel Disruptions and Flooding
The wild weather has also caused disruptions to train services, with power outages and track failures reported at several stations.
Flooding has been reported in some areas, including Sydney’s eastern suburbs, where rainwater has been rushing through the streets.
The State Emergency Service (SES) has warned people camping near creeks and rivers to prepare for severe weather and has responded to over 1,091 incidents across the state.
Emergency Services Respond to Crisis
The SES has reported that the majority of calls have been for fallen trees and damage from wind gusts, with no reports of flood rescues.
The NSW RFS has also been working to respond to the crisis, with significant lightning activity and strong winds bringing down trees, power lines, and damaging roofs across the state.
As the storm continues to rage on, residents are advised to stay safe and follow the latest updates from emergency services.