A dramatic thunderstorm illuminated the skies over Newcastle overnight, delivering a spectacular light show for residents as the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) issued warnings that more wild weather is on the way.
SES Crews Respond to Dozens of Calls
Volunteers from the NSW SES were kept busy across the region from 6pm on Wednesday through to early Thursday morning. The service responded to a range of calls for assistance triggered by the stormy conditions.
Jobs included reports of trees down on roads, leaking roofs, and requests for sandbags to protect properties from the heavy rain.
The Central Coast area of Wyong was particularly hard hit, with SES crews deployed to 20 separate jobs. In the Hunter, there were seven call-outs in the Lake Macquarie area, six in Swansea, and three each in Newcastle and Singleton.
Rainfall Data Shows Heavy Downpours
Data from the Bureau of Meteorology captured the intensity of the overnight deluge. The Nobbys weather station recorded 17.6 millimetres of rain between 8pm and 11.30pm on Thursday.
At the Williamtown weather station, the rain fell hard and fast. The site recorded 11.2 millimetres over 12 hours from around 11.30am, followed by a much heavier burst of 24.4 millimetres in just 50 minutes between approximately 11.30pm and 12.20am.
Residents Urged to Prepare for More Unstable Weather
An SES spokesperson has urged all residents in the Hunter to stay vigilant and prepare for further unstable conditions. The forecast indicates the wild weather is not over yet.
"Our message is that more severe weather and storms are expected in the Hunter Region today and across the weekend," the spokesperson said.
In addition to the storm threat, a strong marine wind warning was also in place for the Hunter Coast on Friday, posing risks for boaters and coastal activities.
The Newcastle Herald invited readers who captured photos of the impressive lightning display to share them with the newsroom.
