News

Winds of more than 90 kilometres an hour have torn roofs off properties, led to structural collapse and brought down trees in parts of NSW.

NSW State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers responded to more than 100 incidents overnight on Thursday, 29 February.

At Tottenham, west of Dubbo, significant damage occurred at the local pub and café where a roof was blown off the building and brick walls collapsed due to high winds.

At Broken Hill, more than 16 incidents were reported to the NSW SES for fallen trees and damaged roofs. NSW SES crews also assisted in retrieving a vehicle trapped in flash flood waters.

In Northern Zone, near Lake Macquarie, clean-up efforts are continuing today after roofs were torn and trees brought down by  damaging winds at Singleton, Maitland, and Wyee. Numerous properties are still without power, which is expected to be restored later today.  

NSW SES Senior Manager of State Operations, Chief Superintendent Dallas Burnes said the Service was preparing for further storms from Friday afternoon and into the weekend in the northeast of the state.

“We are still in the midst of storm season, which means we are likely to see increased operational activity in the afternoon and evenings,” Chief Superintendent Burnes said.

“It is important people prepare for storms – simple things like securing loose items around your yard, trimming trees and branches away from properties, and cleaning your gutters.

“Flood rescue activations, fallen trees and flash flooding all likely consequences from severe weather.”

Breakdown of incidents by zone:

Metro Zone: 35
North Western Zone: 2
Northern Zone: 44
South Eastern Zone: 2
Southern Zone: 5
Western Zone: 24
Total 112.

For emergency help in floods and storms, call the NSW SES on 132 500. In life threatening situations, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.