Sydney storms: tornado warning as hail hits, flash flooding fears

Sydney’s desalination plant has been damaged and three people are injured after a tornado tore through the city’s south with winds of more than 200km/h.
The desalination plant in Kurnell was evacuated after reportedly sustaining significant damage and workers were also cleared out of the Caltex refinery.
The strong and unusually high winds hit Kurnell just after 10.30am today along with heavy rain and hail the size of golf balls.
About 7000 businesses are without power, including Kurnell Public School. The SES has received over 160 call outs, with 65 from the Sutherland shire.
Sydney airport was closely monitoring the storm activity with passengers being advised to check flight details with their airlines, an airport spokeswoman said.
Qantas has delayed some flights until the storm clears up, a Qantas spokesman said.

A massive storm front has closed in on Sydney. Picture: Twitter

A second storm cell was moving north up the coast and expected to hit Wollongong around 12.30pm.
The NSW Bureau of Meteorology issued a warning at 8am, saying severe thunderstorms were forecast for parts of Sydney, the Illawarra and Hunter regions.
A Bureau warning at 11.13am warned that “very dangerous thunderstorms” were detected near Sydney airport and in waters off Bondi Beach.

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Tornado sweeps through Sydney

A 40-year-old man suffered head injuries in Kurnell and ambulance NSW said officers treated two other people.
They were all transferred to Sutherland Hospital in a stable condition.
A strong wind warning is in place for parts of Sydney and the Macquarie coast area and flash flooding may occur across Gosford, Sydney, Wollongong and the NSW south coast, the BOM said.
The storm is moving north, and warnings are also in place for the Sydney suburbs of Gordon, Mona Vale and Terrey Hills.

A massive storm front near Bexley, in Sydney’s south-west. Picture: Twitter

The SES has warned people to move cars and stay away from trees, and to stay away from trees.
They have also been warned to avoid creeks and stormwater drains.
Westpac Life Saver Helicopter CEO, Stephen Leahy, said winds changed significantly within five minutes.
“If the storms and wind collide there is potential for a tornado,” Mr Leahy told AAP.
VIDEO: NSW Golf Club lashed by rain, hail

The NSW Bureau of Meteorology’s blunt warning.

Lightning strikes have hit the Wollongong region with thunderstorms set to move up the coast throughout the day, BOM said.
State Emergency Services are advising residents to secure their homes and to remain indoors as storms sweep across the affected area on Wednesday.
80mm of rain fell in one hour near Nowra, 160km south of Sydney.
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Large hail has hit Cronulla, in Sydney’s south. Picture: Instagram

A balcony in Maroubra in Sydney’s eastern suburbs collapsed and the roof of a unit was damaged as storms travelled north.
Jenny Zhou, who works at the local Friendly Grocer in Kurnell, said the roof leaked and the shop flooded.
“I think about 10am, a big storm came,” she said. “There is water everywhere .. all through the shop.”
The CEO of Sydney’s Desalination plant Keith Davies said no workers were seriously hurt.
“Site operators were able to get into a safe place during the storm, and are in the process of making the site safe now,” Mr Davies said.
“No-one has been seriously injured but one person has been taken to local hospital with minor injuries.” Mr Davies said it was too early to determine the precise extent of the damage, or the repair bill.
He said it was an extraordinary event.
“Right now, people’s safety is coming first,” he said.

Wind damage to a unit block at Mauroubra, in Sydney’s east. Picture: John Grainger

The storm cell moves north.

Beth, who lives and works in Cronulla in the city’s south, said “golf ball-size hail” fell on St Andrew’s Anglican Church.
“We had some brown-outs, lots of thunder and lightning, and some large hail,” she said.
“The wind was strong and it was hitting our glass windows. I have a big dint in the front of my car.”

Twitter pictures of Storm damage after a Tornado passed through Kurnell. Picture: Twitter

Kurnell’s Bridges St has been particularly hard hit with a number of homes suffering significant damage, a Fire & Rescue spokeswoman told AAP.
BOM issued a midday warning for a severe thunderstorm which is due to hit the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury regions within the following hour.http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/sydney-storms-tornado-warning-as-hail-hits-flash-flooding-fears/news-story/4acd0f356f5726f84666379f93bd2691