Huge hailstones batter parts of Sydney as a severe storm sweeps through
Car windshields were smashed in the hailstorm. Photo: Erin Riley/ Twitter
Sydney has again been battered by a summer storm with parts of the city pelted with hail.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) warned of severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding, destructive winds and “giant hailstones” on the east coast, stretching from Lismore in the north to Moruya Heads on the south coast.
Residents of Oran Park and Harrington Park in Sydney’s west seemed to cop the brunt of the storm, with residents reporting hailstones the size of tennis balls and golf balls.
The bureau said 5cm hail had been reported at Berowra on the upper north shore, 3.5cm hail at Summer Hill and 2cm hail at Petersham in the inner west.
It said “very dangerous thunderstorms” were detected on the weather radar near Gosford and Mona Vale, moving east to north-east.
The central coast suburbs of The Entrance, Toukley and Gorokan were also expected to be hit by very severe thunderstorms.
Other storm cells are forecast to affect Sutherland, Campbelltown and Bowral as well as Wollongong, Kiama and Port Kembla.
The State Emergency Service (SES) said it had responded to 421 jobs since midday.
A spokesperson said the worst-hit areas were Liverpool and Berowra, with “almost every second home” in Berowra needing assistance.
Prestons, the Hills District and Hornsby were also badly affected, with most callers needing help with leaking roofs and hail damage.
Air Services Australia said planes are not landing at Sydney Airport due to the thunderstorms.
https://twitter.com/erinrileyau/status/1075631749659533312
#sydneyweather #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/shslIHrFmt
— LAB (@RayGunLAB123) December 20, 2018
The size of the hail that just fell in the #SydneyStorm is huge pic.twitter.com/Uac6V5l03s
— Igor J (@igzzz84) December 20, 2018
A spokesperson said the storms were passing quickly, however there would be a “knock-on effect” with delays throughout the night.
Sydney Airport said both terminals were experiencing delays of up to one hour due to the bad weather.
Sydney Trains said all services were still running in peak hour Thursday evening.
The storm warning also stretched west to the central tablelands and central western slopes and plains.
Dubbo was hit by small hail that looked at times like snow.
Ausgrid said 2700 customers were without power at Arncliffe, Bexley, Rockdale, Galston, Hornsby Heights and Mt Colah while Endeavor Energy said they were working to reinstate power to more than 240 customers at Sunny Corner, Meadow Flat and Dural.
For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the NSW SES on 132 500.
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https://twitter.com/LauraPhenomenon/status/1075636801807671296
