Man Struck by Lightning During Severe Thunderstorm in Illawarra
A man in his 20s was struck by lightning on Saturday afternoon as a very dangerous thunderstorm swept through the Illawarra, Southern Highlands, and Nowra regions. The incident occurred around 3:30 pm while the man was working on an ice-cream truck at the Robertson Show. NSW Ambulance paramedics rushed to the Robertson Showground to provide immediate treatment before transporting him to Bowral and District Hospital. Fortunately, he is in a stable condition with non-life threatening injuries.
Severe Weather Causes Widespread Disruption
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the area, alerting residents to potential life-threatening flash flooding. Heavy rainfall led to significant flooding in southern parts of the region. In Warrawong and Cringila, flash flooding inundated roads, with the underground car park at Warrawong Plaza completely flooded. Cars were stranded on Five Islands Road due to rising waters.
In Nowra, a large tree fell onto a four-wheel-drive vehicle during the storm, causing extensive damage. The severe weather also forced the postponement of all ring events at the Robertson Show until next year.
Power Outages and Infrastructure Damage
The storm caused substantial damage to infrastructure, including downed powerlines in Warrawong and Cringila. A lightning strike in Albion Park resulted in an electricity outage affecting 2,405 homes and businesses. As of Sunday morning, 163 properties in Albion Park remained without power, with restoration expected by 10:30 am.
Rainfall data from the Bureau of Meteorology shows that Nowra received 55.2 millimetres of rain, while other areas saw lesser amounts: 12.8 mm in Point Perpendicular, 10.4 mm in Kiama, 2.8 mm in Bellambi, and 1.8 mm in Albion Park.
Community Events Affected by the Storm
The sold-out TEDxWollongong event at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre in Wollongong was interrupted by loud thunder, lightning, and heavy rain during the talks. Despite the disruptions, no injuries were reported at the venue.
While there are no thunderstorm warnings for Sunday, a strong wind warning remains in place for the Illawarra coast. Emergency services continue to monitor the situation and advise residents to stay cautious.
