Sydney hit by hail, flash floods, as storm-affected areas warned to expect more
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Version 0 of 1. Large hailstones pummelled Sydney on Saturday afternoon, bringing down two large factories in the west of the city, as residents worst affected by this week’s deadly storms were warned to expect more flash flooding and damaging winds. The warning zone on Saturday evening took in Maitland and Cessnock, greater Newcastle and the central coast of NSW around Gosford and Wyong - areas that were lashed by storms this week, leaving hundreds of people cut off by floodwaters. Superintendent Paul Johnstone of NSW Fire and Rescue said the two buildings in Huntingwood had been brought down under the weight of the hail. Twenty-fire trucks were at the scene by 5.30pm, but it was not believed anyone was injured in the building collapse. After an Anzac Day on which thousands of people lined city streets under blue skies, social media sites lit up as Sydneysiders battled through water several feet deep in some places, and returned home to gardens blanketed by large hailstones and sleet. #SydneyStorm: Water rushes through the streets in Petersham, #Sydney http://t.co/OotfidNHNv Hailstones up to two centimetres in diameter were reported in Blackheath, in the Blue Mountains, and streets turned white in Sydney’s inner west, east and on the north shore. The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning for thunderstorms affecting a long stretch of the NSW coast. “Large hailstones, heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and damaging winds are likely,” the BoM said. The bad weather halted play for half an hour at the Allianz Stadium clash between the Sydney Roosters and St George Illawarra, and the field at Parramatta Stadium was covered with hailstones before the A-League match between Western Sydney Wanderers and Perth Glory. PICS: Yep, this was Parramatta before #WSWvPER. http://t.co/vNEFXppzdm pic.twitter.com/DUDPw7xj6v The sudden downpour plunged parts of Sydney’s transport network into chaos. Police briefly turned around all westbound traffic on Parrramatta Road at Leichhardt. “Sydney motorists are advised to exercise caution while driving due to the heavy rain and hail,” a Transport Management Centre spokesman said. “The flash flooding has affected a number of roads in the metropolitan area making driving difficult.” |