If you feel like the August winds have arrived early, you're on the money.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Jason Simms, from the SES, said units were busy from daybreak this morning attending to roof damage and blown over trees and fences.
"The winds started last night, but when people woke up this morning the jobs started flowing through," Mr Simms said.
"Wollongng had about 43 jobs across the area, one of the highest numbers in the state today."
One of those jobs was at Wollongong Private Hospital, where a bit of roofing was flapping precariously before it was secured.
Crown Street had to be closed due to threats from flying building materials.
This morning a gust of 93km per hour was recorded at Albion Park at 2.28pm, and according to the Bureau of Meteorology Illawarra residents can expect damaging winds to continue until Monday morning.
Wind speeds averaging 60-70km per hour, with peak gusts in excess of 90km will affect the Illawarra, South Coast, Southern Tablelands, Northern Tablelands, Alpine, South West Slopes, Blue MOuntains, Hunter and Mid North Coast regions today.
The wind is part of a cold front moving across the state, and brings a chilly bite with it. Blizzards are occuring above 1500m. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service recommends travel to the back country be delayed until conditions improve.
Locations which may be affected include Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle, Nowra, Bowral, Braidwood, Tenterfield, Barrington Tops, Katoomba, Goulburn, Cabramurra, Perisher Valley and Khancoban.
Anyone hoping to get out on the water should be advised a Marine Gale Warning is in place for the Illawarra Coast, Batemans Coast and Sydney Coast.
Conditions are forecast to ease later tonight or into early Monday morning as the cold front moves further into the Tasman Sea.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Move vehicles 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.
* Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.
* Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.
* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.
We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.