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ABC News
ABC News
National

Sydney lashed by intense rainfall that downed trees and powerlines, and closed school

Torrential rain causes flooding in many parts of Sydney overnight.

Sydney has been lashed by intense rain and strong winds that have caused trees to fall on roads and powerlines to come down.  

NSW Emergency Service (SES) responded to 377 calls for assistance in the greater Sydney area, with parts of the northern beaches and the North Shore most affected.  

There were 13 flood rescues across Sydney, mostly for people trapped in their vehicles by flash flooding.

The wild weather left more than 600 homes without electricity, with an Ausgrid spokesman saying power would be restored throughout the day. 

Meanwhile, students from St Madeleine's Primary in Kenthurst have been told to stay home today due to road closures inhibiting access to the school. 

A tree fell on a home in Yagoona and damaged the roof.  (ABC News)

Mohammed's family in Western Sydney were asleep in their beds when a tree crashed through their home. 

The Yagoona home is now a danger to the family of five with SES unable to begin work due to asbestos in the ceiling. 

"We're scared of going inside," Mohammed said. 

"My little sister she's seven, she screamed so loud she was shaking and she's still so scared.

"I've never seen her run out like this, she thought she was going to die, we all thought we were going to die."

Mohammed said he has not been able to find the family cat since the storm and is afraid falling sections of roof or tree branches have crushed the pet. 

The family of five cannot re-enter the house due to the damage. (ABC News: Maryanne Taouk)
The family were asleep in the house when the tree crashed on their home. (ABC News: Maryanne Taouk)

Flooding has closed Wakehurst Parkway, between Oxford Falls and North Narrabeen, and Oxford Falls road.

Roads have reopened on Pacific Highway after two fallen trees and low-hanging wires closed the road in Pymble and Chatswood. 

Several Manly Ferry services have been cancelled due to heavy swell.

Motorists are being warned to allow extra travel time and drive to the conditions, with more rain forecast today.

Emergency services worked to remove the tree at Pymble.  (ABC News)

SES spokesman Neil Wiblin said emergency officers were kept busy overnight. 

"The main type of jobs that we saw were trees and branches down due to the strong winds, followed by roofs damaged and leaking, and the heavy rain also caused localised flooding in a number of areas as well as road closures," Mr Wiblin said.

Fire and Rescue NSW superintendent Adam Dewberry said firefighters responded to a number of emergency incidents due to the storm.

An emergency services officer is holding rope while sitting in floodwater at Kensington.  (ABC News)
Cars had to be towed from Parramatta Road due to flash flooding. 

"Flooding in homes, flooding in unit blocks, several car crashes … numerous wires down, wires arcing where our firefighters go to these areas, render them safe, set up exclusion zones to prevent people becoming electrocuted," he said.

There were 51 call outs for assistance in the Warringah-Pittwater area, 42 in Orange, 33 in Queanbeyan, 21 in Ku-ring-gai and 17 in Sutherland. 

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