1 Dead as Storm Wreaks Havoc in New South Wales, Queensland

A still image taken from video and obtained on Jan. 16, 2025, shows a damaged structure near the town of Wagga Wagga in regional NSW after a powerful thunderstorm. AAP Image/NSW SES, James Saligari

Emergency crews are working tirelessly to clean up after a deadly storm caused significant damage along Australia’s east coast.

In the state of New South Wales, thousands were left without power and an elderly man tragically lost his life.

As per latest data from Ausgrid, 227 unplanned outages took place across the state, affecting 79,363 sites.

Authorities are urging residents to stay vigilant, monitor weather updates, and avoid potential dangers.

Fatal Incident and Widespread Damage

A man in his 80s was killed in Cowra when a tree fell on his vehicle as severe thunderstorms ravaged the region.

Central NSW, Sydney, and coastal areas experienced heavy rain, strong winds, and lightning, leading to widespread disruption.

Four individuals in Wagga Wagga sustained injuries when high winds ripped the roofs off their temporary housing.

The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) received more than 2,250 calls for assistance, responding to over 1,800 incidents by Jan. 16. Fallen trees and property damage accounted for the majority of emergencies.

SES Chief Superintendent Dallas Burnes reported that volunteers are addressing 1,100 outstanding jobs, particularly in northern parts of the state, where additional storms and rainfall are forecast.

“We are concerned, especially with many holidaymakers in the area,” Burnes told ABC TV. “People unfamiliar with these locations might be caught off guard by sudden river rises.”

Queensland Faces Scorching Heat After Storms

Scorching conditions are forecast across Queensland today following severe overnight storms that caused widespread power outages and significant damage.

Wind gusts reached up to 98 kilometres per hour in Winton, western Queensland, where strong winds uprooted trees and blew a school shed across an oval.

“It did turn a bit of a show on … we had a bit of hail and very strong winds,” Winton Shire Mayor Cathy White told ABC.

Senior meteorologist Felim Hanniffy from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) warned that the heat could give way to more potentially severe storms later tonight.

Flood Warnings and Power Outages

A minor flood watch has been issued for multiple river catchments in NSW, including the Orara, Bellinger, and Manning rivers. Residents are advised to exercise caution, with further sharp river rises expected.

At the peak of the storm, more than 155,000 customers experienced blackouts. Crews have restored power to about 40,000 of the 95,000 affected customers.

Ausgrid reported significant outages in Newcastle, affecting 60,000 customers, and Sydney, where 31,000 were left in the dark.

Endeavour Energy stated that 55,000 customers in regions such as the Blue Mountains, Illawarra, and Sydney’s west were impacted, with 20,000 connections restored by Thursday morning.

Severe Weather to Persist

Severe thunderstorms, combined with a low-pressure system, are expected to bring up to 80mm of rain through Saturday, with the heaviest falls forecast for Jan. 17. Some areas may receive up to 100mm of rain.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has warned of continued strong winds and further storms. Radar imagery revealed the storm stretching 1,000km from Glen Innes in the north to Eden on the Victoria border.

Residents on the state’s far south coast have been advised to remain indoors after Eurobodalla recorded 63mm of rain in just one hour. The SES has urged the public to stay alert and prioritise safety as the wild weather persists.

AAP contributed to this article.