The Illawarra is waking up to hundreds of photos splashed across social media channels from a Friday night storm with thousands of lightning bolts in just over an hour.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Illawarra Mercury readers have posted dozens on its Facebook page.
It followed a Severe thunderstorm warning from the Bureau of Meteorology but what followed was more of a light show than damaging winds and large hailstones.
The storm hit Wollongong, Kiama and Picton from 10.30pm and Helensburgh, Stanwell Park and waters off Thirroul by 11pm.
There have been no reports of major damage however the NSW SES were called out to a couple of leaky roofs and fallen trees in the Kiama area.
Further inland late in the afternoon prior to storms arriving in the Illawarra the NSW SES received 70 calls for emergency help.
Severe storms affected a number of communities in the southern.
Cootamundra was the hardest hit with call outs to trees on homes and powerlines, broken windows and roof damage.
Seven NSW SES teams supported by Fire and Rescue NSW and the Rural Fire Service and local Council attended 29 requests for emergency help, with some being significant jobs.
The weather forecast for Saturday is cloudy with a 70 per cent chance of showers and a thunderstorm during the afternoon and evening.
On Sunday there is a 90 per cent of rain in the morning.