A backyard inflatable pool took an unexpected flight in Newcastle on Tuesday, blown from its suburban yard and landing directly on live powerlines. The unusual incident prompted a swift response from emergency crews and served as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by strong winds.
The High-Flying Pool Incident
Ausgrid technicians were called to the suburb of Mayfield on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, after a blustery northwesterly wind picked up the inflatable pool and deposited it onto overhead wires. The pool was initially spotted dangling precariously near the Hunter Christian School before it broke free and blew into the school grounds, where crews were able to safely retrieve it.
A local resident first alerted authorities to the bizarre sight. An Ausgrid spokesperson confirmed the situation was resolved without any power outages or injuries, but issued a strong warning to the community. "Strong winds can turn everyday items into dangerous projectiles," the spokesperson said, highlighting that loose outdoor furniture, trampolines, and garden umbrellas pose similar risks.
Heightened Fire Danger and Weather Warnings
The flying pool incident occurred on a day of significant weather activity. Winds reached speeds of 30 kilometres per hour, combining with warm temperatures and vanishingly low humidity below 20 per cent.
These conditions contributed to an extreme fire danger rating and a total fire ban for the Hunter region, issued by the NSW RFS. The fire risk was already elevated after lightning strikes sparked a blaze in the Hunter Wetlands over the preceding weekend. Forecasters had warned of a potential late thunderstorm on Tuesday, further inflaming the dangerous conditions.
What's Next for the Hunter Weather
The Bureau of Meteorology tracked a cold front moving up the coast on Tuesday, which was expected to bring a strong southerly change. While the extreme fire danger was expected to ease into the weekend, the bureau also issued a strong wind warning for boaters off the Hunter coast for Wednesday, with seas predicted to reach two to three metres.
The forecast for the rest of the week indicated warm and sunny conditions with winds shifting from southwesterly to northwesterly on Wednesday and Thursday. Cloudier weather was expected to follow, with a chance of storms on Saturday and showers likely on Sunday.
The key takeaway from this unusual event is clear: securing backyard items is crucial for community safety, especially during periods of high winds, to prevent damage to infrastructure and avoid potential power disruptions.
