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National

Broken Hill cleans up after powerful hailstorm

A hailstorm has left a trail of destruction through Broken Hill. (ABC Broken Hill: Bill Ormonde)

Roads are closed, powerlines are down and emergency services are working to reach residents in need after a large hailstorm hit Broken Hill last night.

Lightning and strong winds swept through the silver city, ripping out trees and cutting off power to about 40 per cent of homes and businesses.

About 4,500 dwellings across Broken Hill were without electricity after the storm hit the region at 7pm last night.

The owner of a caravan on Nicholls Street was not home when a tree crashed through his roof, neighbour Tiffany Gray said.

The man who lives in this caravan wasn't home at the time of the storm. (ABC Broken Hill: Bill Ormonde)

"We heard a massive bang and we didn't know what it was ... and it was the tree out the front," Ms Gray said.

"We haven't had anything this bad for six or seven years," she said. 

A 100-year-old tree fell in Nicholls Street, opposite the crushed caravan. (ABC Broken Hill: Bill Ormonde)

SES responding to callouts

Broken Hill State Emergency Service controller Ian Harvey said volunteers had worked throughout the night to help residents affected by the wild weather.

"We've had about 23 jobs last night … and nine are still outstanding and we've still got jobs coming through," he said.

One of many large trees down in west Broken Hill. (ABC Broken Hill: Bill Ormonde)

Essential Energy are fixing powerlines across the city, and have so far returned power to the CBD. 

However, power in the west has not been completely returned. 

Essential Energy workers are restoring power across the city.  (ABC Broken Hill: Callum Marshall)

Railway Town hit hard

Mr Harvey said West Broken Hill received a significant amount the damage and "the majority of the jobs" were in the Railway Town area.

Motorists risk a $1,000 per wheel fine if they decide to drive on a closed road.  (ABC Broken Hill: Bill Ormonde)

A number of roads have been closed, including east to Menindee, west to Silverton and north to Packsaddle.

While the cost of the damage is yet to be assessed, residents are thankful there have been no hospitalisations or deaths.

Roads and Maritime Services attempt to move a truck stuck on the Menindee Road.  (ABC Broken Hill: Bill Ormonde)
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