Lower Hunter residents are in clean-up mode after a severe thunderstorm tore through the region on Sunday evening.
Heavy rain and damaging winds brought down powerlines and trees in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie on 4 January, resulting in major blackouts at Dudley, East Maitland, Gateshead, Mayfield, Lambton, Jesmond, Waratah, Whitebridge and surrounding areas.
Several thoroughfares were impacted by water over the road, including University Drive, while motorists also faced traffic lights being out in Lambton, Mayfield and Waratah.
It’s understood more than 3,000 homes remain without power on Monday 5 January as a result of the weather incident.
A spokesperson for Ausgrid said some of the outages were “complex”, with investigations continuing.
The NSW State Emergency Service added in excess of 150 calls for assistance were received, ensuring emergency services kept busy into the night.
“Our teams responded to trees falling across roads and onto cars and houses, fallen powerlines and building damage,” an NSW SES member explained.
“In some cases, roofs were also blown off.
“Everyone worked through the jobs as quickly as possible.
“However, what was disappointing: seeing motorists trying to drive in the conditions – and taking chances, especially when it wasn’t safe.
“Those people put their own lives and others at risk.”
The Nobbys Signal Station recorded 19.4mm of rain and wind gusts of 70km/h at one point.
City of Newcastle (CN) indicated the Lambton Park War Memorial Swimming Centre would reopen at 10am on Monday 5 January after the storm caused the facility’s closure.
For more news stories:
- Work on major road projects resume throughout Hunter
- Port Stephens eyes off new opportunities amid natural disasters, airport expansion
- Return and Earn even more convenient in Lake Mac
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