Small Tornado Hits Ulladulla on NSW South Coast, Damaging Homes and Toppling Trees
A small tornado tore through Ulladulla around 1pm Saturday, blowing roofs off homes and downing trees as severe storms spread across New South Wales.
A small tornado struck the NSW South Coast town of Ulladulla on Saturday, shocking residents, damaging buildings and bringing down trees.
The Bureau of Meteorology said the rare weather event was seen in the town at about 1pm, as severe storms moved across much of the state ahead of the October long weekend.
What we know
Local mother Wishaya La Spina was in her car with her baby when the tornado passed. "It was already storming, but nothing too severe," she told the Sydney Morning Herald. "Then the wind just started to pick up and the next minute we spotted that little tornado."
She filmed it on her phone while unsure whether to stay in the car or leave. "It was pretty scary," she said, adding that she tried to protect her crying baby because "you never know when a tree could come falling".
The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) said it had recorded more than 80 incidents across the state, most of them in Ulladulla. A spokesperson said there were multiple reports of roofs blown from homes, significant damage to properties and trees down across roads. Nine reported the SES had received more than 81 calls for help by 4pm, including for fallen trees and powerlines.
Footage shared by Nine appears to show a tornado passing through a built-up area.
Wider storm warnings
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm and damaging wind warning for central and south-eastern NSW, including Sydney, Wollongong, Katoomba, Penrith, Parramatta and Bowral. The storms were forecast to produce damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rain that could cause flash flooding.
Wollongong, Campbelltown and Liverpool were expected to be affected by 4.10pm. Sutherland, Sydney Airport, Richmond, Penrith and Sydney Olympic Park were forecast to follow by 4.40pm.
Earlier, the SES warned that a cold front would bring widespread thunderstorms to the Central West, South Coast, Illawarra and Sydney until Sunday, 4 October, before moving north-east early next week. Rainfall of up to 100 mm was possible in some parts of the state.
Long weekend outlook
Nine reported that conditions are expected to clear in time for Sunday's NRL Grand Final kickoff at Sydney Olympic Park at 7.30pm, with temperatures around 23 to 24 degrees. Canberra faces a wet weekend, while Brisbane, Darwin and Adelaide are expected to be mostly dry.
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What it means for you
If you are in the affected regions, the SES urges people to secure loose outdoor items, park vehicles undercover or away from trees, and clean gutters and drains. Acting Assistant Commissioner Brigid Rice also said people should never drive, ride or walk through floodwater.
Download the Hazards Near Me app and follow Bureau of Meteorology warnings. For help in floods and storms, call the SES on 132 500; in a life-threatening emergency, call triple zero.
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