The lower Hunter was rattled by a severe storm less than an hour after warnings were issued.
The Bureau of Meteorology released a warning at 2:11pm, saying that Maitland, Cessnock, Singleton, Dungog and Newcastle were at risk. The warning was cancelled just over an hour later, but not before damage had hit.
By 2:45pm, large raindrops and wind hit much of Newcastle - including the city and foreshore. It was followed by hail which melted shortly after hitting the ground.
More than 1600 homes across the region - including 110 in Lambton, 60 in Tenambit and 1500 in Kurri Kurri and Heddon Greta - lost power.
"[Our] modem threw sparks and died. [Now] there's hail," a resident posted to Facebook.
A spokesperson from Ausgrid told the Newcastle Herald experts were being sent to the affected suburbs around 3:30pm, aiming to determine the causes of outages. Any damaged equipment would be cleared.
Fires and hazards from lightning strikes were also reported in the Hunter. A spokesperson from Fire and Rescue NSW said crews were responding to calls across the region following severe weather.
A fire was reported west of the M1 in Killingworth shortly before 3:30pm. It was not yet known if the fire began from lightning.
"We certainly have had a number of calls to a number of lightning strikes," the spokesperson said, noting lightning had "automatically set off" some fire alarms and emergency service systems.
State Emergency Service northern zone commander Chief Superintendent Andrew Cribb said 10 calls had been made to the SES in the Hunter. Most were for damaged roofs in Mayfield, Wallsend and Hamilton. A garden shed blew into the neighbours backyard in Wallsend.
Just one call for help was made on the Central Coast after a tree fell onto a parked caravan in a campground.
Further updates on lightning damage will be reported when available.
The SES advises residents to:
- Move your car under cover or away from trees.
- Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
- Keep at least eight metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences
- Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.
- Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.
- Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
- Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.
- If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
- Be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid. It may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks.
- After bushfires, heavy rain and the loss of foliage can make the ground soft and heavy, leading to a greater chance of landslides.
- Unplug computers and appliances.
- Avoid using the phone during the storm.
- Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
- Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
- For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.
The severe thunderstorm warning remains current for the mid north coast area.
Friday's stormfront come just days after parts of Maitland - particularly Rutherford - were hit with huge hailstones that damaged roofs, cars and other property. The weather event may have marked the Hunter's worst hail storm in almost 20 years.
The SES responded to more than 120 calls in the area, which were only completed on Thursday afternoon.
More updates to come.
