8pm: The Wollongong SES has responded to 33 requests for assistance so far, most of which have been due to damage to skylights and in the southern suburbs.
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“Some jobs have been due to overflowing gutters and we would ask that members of the public inspect and clean, or arrange someone to, their gutters on a regular basis,” the SES said.
“We currently have six field teams in the local area consisting of 2 Coniston, 3 Wollongong, and 1 NSW SES Shellharbour City Unit that is assisting us.
“We also have an operations team and another team of field members standing by.
”Our members have stopped to assist at traffic accidents as well, so please drive to the conditions.”
The severe weather warning remains in place and further thunderstorms are still possible.
6.20pm: Two of three northbound lanes on Five Islands Road, at Flinders Road, in Port Kembla are closed due to flooding, the NSW Transport Management Centre says.
Flooding has eased on the M1 Princes Motorway, at Fowlers Road, at Kanahooka.
6.15pm: The Bureau of Meteorology has, again, removed Wollongong from its detailed severe thunderstorm warning.
Heavy rain is currently falling across Wollongong and a more general severe thunderstorm warning remains current for the Illawarra.
5.55pm: Wollongong is again in the firing line as another severe storm cell approaches.
The Bureau of Meteorology has reissued a detailed severe thunderstorm warning for the Greater Wollongong area.
The bureau says severe thunderstorms were detected on the weather radar near Maitland, Kurri Kurri and the Nattai Tablelands at 5.40pm.
“These thunderstorms are moving towards the east to southeast. They are forecast to affect Picton, Newcastle City, Raymond Terrace and Belmont by 6.10 pm and Wollongong, Nelson Bay and Karuah by 6.40 pm,” the warning said.
“Large hailstones, damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding are likely.”
5.35pm: Flooding is continuing to affect traffic on the M1 Princes Motorway, near Fowlers Road, at Kanahooka. Both directions are affected and a reduced speed limit of 40km/h is in place.
Earlier, two of three northbound lanes on Five Islands Road, at Flinders Road, in Port Kembla were closed due to flooding. The lanes have now reopened.
5.30pm: A severe thunderstorm warning remains current for northern parts of the Illawarra on Saturday afternoon.
The Bureau of Meteorology warns hail, destructive winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding are likely.
Hail exceeding 3cm in diameter was recorded near Mount Kembla at 4pm on Saturday, while golf ball-sized hail was reported at Bowral at 3.06pm.
5pm: Mercury reader Taylor Joan Mackay sent in this video of hail at Berkeley on Saturday afternoon.
4.45pm: The Greater Wollongong area is no longer included under the Bureau of Meteorology’s detailed severe storm warning.
The immediate threat of dangerous storms has passed. However, a more general severe thunderstorm warning remains current for the Illawarra.
4.40pm: Flooding is affecting traffic on the M1 Princes Motorway, near Fowlers Road, at Kanahooka.
Both directions are affected and a reduced speed limit of 40km/h is in place.
A two-car accident has occurred at the location and is affecting southbound traffic.
4.30pm: Hail has been reported in a number of suburbs.
The Bureau of Meteorology says hail exceeding 3cm in diameter was recorded near Mount Kembla at 4pm.
4.25pm:
4.15pm: The latest from the Bureau of Meteorology…
The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 4.05pm, very dangerous thunderstorms were detected on the weather radar near Hornsby, Parramatta, Kiama and Bowral. These thunderstorms are moving towards the east to southeast.
Very dangerous thunderstorms are forecast to affect Wollongong, Sydney City, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Mona Vale and waters off Bondi Beach by 4.35pm.
4.05pm: The Illawarra is being pelted by large hail.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
- Move your car under cover or away from trees.
- Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
- Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
- Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid on 131 388, or Endeavour Energy on 131 003 or Essential Energy on 132 080, as shown on your power bill.
- Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
- Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.
- If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
- Unplug computers and appliances.
- Avoid using the phone during the storm.
- Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
- For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.
3.55: Wollongong now included in the BoM’s detailed severe storm warning. Large hail, heavy rain, damaging winds to hit by 4.05pm.
3.45: Golf ball-sized hail has been reported at Bowral.
“Lots of nose, lots of water, heaps of huge #hailstones glad I'm inside!” seusskat posted on Instagram.
3.35pm: Severe thunderstorms are predicted to affect Kiama by 4pm, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned.
At 3.30pm, thunderstorms were detected on the weather radar near Penrith and Bowral.
These thunderstorms are moving towards the south-east and are forecast to affect Kiama, Campbelltown, Sutherland and Liverpool by 4pm.
Damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding are likely.
Golf ball sized hail was reported at Bowral at 3:06pm.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
- Move your car under cover or away from trees.
- Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
- Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
- Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid on 131 388, or Endeavour Energy on 131 003 or Essential Energy on 132 080, as shown on your power bill.
- Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
- Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.
- If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
- Unplug computers and appliances.
- Avoid using the phone during the storm.
- Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
- For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.
The next warning is due to be issued by 4:30 pm.
A more general severe thunderstorm warning is also current for the Illawarra and parts of the Hunter, Metropolitan, Central Tablelands and Southern Tablelands districts.
For more information, see www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 218.
Earlier: Don't be deceived by the morning sunshine, another bout of thunderstorms are expected to lash the Illawarra and Sydney on Saturday afternoon.
The storms will likely match the intensity of the weather which hit the region late on Friday afternoon, causing wild winds, power outages and spectacular lightning displays.
"There are a lot of similarities to yesterday's storms,’’ said Brett Dutschke, a senior meteorologist with Weatherzone.
‘’One of the features that looks noticeably different is the amount of rain they could bring. Today's storms look like bringing heavier rain.’’
Just before midday, the Bureau of Meteorology's radar detected severe thunderstorms around Kangaroo Valley and Nowra, with the Gerringong, Kiama and Robertson in the immediate path as the storms move east.
A severe thunderstorm is current for the Illawarra and Shoalhaven.
For more information see www.bom.gov.au
Weatherzone is owned by Fairfax Media