A peak gust of 96km/hr was recorded at Bellambi at 4.45am.

Bulli Tennis secretary Dave Allen, who administers the courts on behalf of Wollongong Council, said the centre would be closed following the discovery of asbestos in the roof.

“It’s something we don’t want people exposed to… so we’re just going to close it down,” he said.

Wollongong City Council staff would be in charge of the asbestos removal, Mr Allen said.

He said it was estimated about $20,000 worth of damage was done to the roof and light pole.

On Wednesday morning, tennis players arrived to find the roof of the centre hanging precariously over one of the courts.

Player Nola Knowles said she had been ‘‘shocked’’ by the extent of the damage. 

‘‘You just don’t expect something like that to happen,’’ she said. 

‘‘We’ve been playing here 20 years and we’ve never seen anything like this. 

‘‘It would have been awful if we had been there.’’

However, Ms Knowles said the centre had been due for a refurbishment. 

‘‘We hope they don’t take too long to get it fixed,’’ she said. 

‘‘It probably could use a bit of a renovation anyway.’’

State Emergency Service acting region controller Ashley Sullivan said crews had been called to five jobs in the Wollongong area on Tuesday night due to the wild weather.

He said most involved downed trees including one incident on Squires Crescent, Coledale where a tree had fallen on a house and nearby power lines.

Mr Sullivan urged residents to be prepared, with more wild wind predicted for Thursday and Friday. 

‘‘It’s meant to come back... potentially stronger than what we’ve experienced this week,’’ he said.

To contact the SES and report an emergency, call 132 500.