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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2015/dec/16/tornado-warning-issued-as-sydney-braces-for-massive-storm-live
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| Tornado warning for Sydney: hail and very dangerous thunderstorms - live | Tornado warning for Sydney: hail and very dangerous thunderstorms - live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 1.21am GMT01:21 | |
| Meanwhile, in Melbourne... | |
| The forecast’s smug. | |
| Melbourne #sydneystorm #justsaying pic.twitter.com/N2ItdeXbdH | |
| Is this a legit #sydneystorm or one where you all cry because your iPad got drops on it? Fyi gorgeous here in Melbourne today. | |
| Meanwhile, in #Melbourne ☀️☀️ #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/PluXkKSBJf | |
| There's never been a better time to be in Melbourne. #sydneystorm | |
| There's never been a better time to be in Melbourne. #sydneystorm | |
| Meanwhile in Melbourne #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/YGYNWSLNxO | |
| The schadenfreude is real. | |
| #sydneystorm is now trending in #Melbourne https://t.co/X4NwPDkXs9 | |
| 1.19am GMT01:19 | |
| Reporter Adam Marsters posted this video of a man bailing out his car in Chifley, a suburb in south-eastern Sydney 13km south-east of the CBD. | |
| In Chifley drivers are scooping water out of their vehicles following #SydneyStorm @Newzulu @9NewsSyd @smh @abcnews pic.twitter.com/QMbEJmVG29 | |
| 1.15am GMT01:15 | |
| Sydney-based photographer Tago Fabic has posted these timelapse videos of the Sydney storm to Vimeo. | |
| 1.12am GMT01:12 | |
| The Bureau of Meteorology has updated its detailed severe thunderstorm warning, which now bills “DESTRUCTIVE WIND, LARGE HAILSTONES and HEAVY RAINFALL” (caps BOM’s own). | |
| DETAILED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING UPDATED https://t.co/kl3X1P5Ueu #SydneyStorm pic.twitter.com/Trf2uoIDgU | |
| At 11:45am, severe thunderstorms were detected near Kiama, Shellharbour, the waters off Dee Why Beach and the northwest parts of the Wollondilly Shire. Those thunderstorms are now moving towards the northeast, and are forecast to affect Dapto, Pt Kemlba and Unanderra within the next five minutes. | |
| In the next 35 minutes, they’re forecast to hit Woolongong, Katoomba and Bulli. | |
| Destructive wind gusts of 213 km/h were reported at Kurnell at 10:33am, causing damage to properties in that area and one injury – thankfully not serious. | |
| Gusts of 142 km/h were recorded at Molineaux Point (Botany Bay) this morning. | |
| 144 mm of rainfall was recorded in just one hour to 10:30am at Long Island Point, just south of Nowra. | |
| BOM will issue another warning by 12:55pm. | |
| 1.07am GMT01:07 | |
| One person injured | |
| One person has been injured and Sydney’s Desalination Plant has been extensively damaged as it was battered by thunderstorms, AAP reports. | |
| A severe storm cell passed over the Kurnell plant in southern Sydney on Wednesday morning, causing extensive damage to parts of the plant. | |
| CEO Keith Davies said no workers were seriously hurt. | |
| “Site operators were able to get into a safe place during the storm, and are in the process of making the site safe now,” Mr Davies told AAP. | |
| “No-one has been seriously injured but one person has been taken to local hospital with minor injuries.” | |
| Mr Davies said it was too early to determine the precise extent of the damage, or the repair bill. | |
| He said it was an extraordinary event. | |
| “Right now, people’s safety is coming first,” he said. | |
| 1.06am GMT01:06 | |
| Nick Evershed | |
| As much as 5mm of rainfall is forecast for Sydney today. But how does that compare with other weather events – from a light Melbourne drizzle to the torrential downpours caused by cyclone Yasi? | |
| These visualisations map total rainfall over 24 hours to the frequency and size of raindrops, with the maximum wind speed in the same 24 hour period scaling the speed and angle of the raindrops, as well as the gust frequency. | |
| Related: NSW and Queensland storms in context: Australian weather events visualised | |
| Updated at 1.16am GMT | |
| 1.03am GMT01:03 | |
| Heads up: Wollongong, Dapto and Port Kembla. Severe storms expected to impact you by 12.30PM this afternoon. | |
| Fire & Rescue NSW has reported that a balcony has collapsed and a roof is damaged in Maroubra. | |
| The fire service is assisting the NSW Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Service to respond to storm-related call-outs in Kurnell, where trees and wires are reported to be down. 30 two-storey industrial units in Kurnell have had their roofs damaged in the storm. Fire service personnel are now door-knocking in the area. | |
| A ceiling has collapsed at a chemist on Central Avenue in South Nowra. 39 people have been evacuated, but no injuries have been reported, and crews are working to make the scene safe. | |
| #NSWRFS and #FRNSW assisting @NSWSES with a number of storm related incidents in the Sutherland Shire. pic.twitter.com/sWBBK08MNQ | |
| The State Emergency Service reports it’s received more than 160 jobs across New South Wales this morning; the most affected areas have been Sutherland (65 jobs); St Georges Basin (39); and Randwick (30). | |
| Updated at 1.06am GMT | |
| 12.57am GMT00:57 | |
| Batten down the hatches. | |
| Heads up: Jamberoo, Mona Vale and Shellharbour, severe storms are expect to impact you within the next 10 minutes. #Illawarra | |
| 12.56am GMT00:56 | |
| Guardian Australia reader Claire Milet sent this photograph of a crowd making their way to Sydney International Airport this morning. | |
| .@guardianaus reader Claire Milet took this, of people getting out of cars to walk to #SydneyAirport in #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/7GbkszdJcp | |
| “We had to walk about a kilometre to get there as the traffic was gridlocked. There’s only one lane leading to parking or drop off. We almost missed our flight but let us on when I showed them this photo. Apparently there were 30 people on our flight alone who missed it. Disgraceful for an international airport.” | |
| We can’t say for sure what of this disruption was weather-related, but there have certainly significant traffic delays reported since the storm hit. | |
| Sydney airport was closely monitoring the storm activity with passengers being advised to check flight details with their airlines, an airport spokeswoman told AAP. | |
| Qantas has delayed some flights until the storm clears up, a Qantas spokesman said. | |
| 12.41am GMT00:41 | 12.41am GMT00:41 |
| Emergency services are responding to multiple reports of building collapses, including business and residential properties, AAP has reported. | Emergency services are responding to multiple reports of building collapses, including business and residential properties, AAP has reported. |
| Crews are on the scene assessing the extent of the damage, a Fire & Rescue NSW spokeswoman said. | Crews are on the scene assessing the extent of the damage, a Fire & Rescue NSW spokeswoman said. |
| BOM issued a warning at 8am with severe thunderstorms expected to strike parts of Sydney, Nowra, Parramatta, Wollongong, Nowra and Bowral. | BOM issued a warning at 8am with severe thunderstorms expected to strike parts of Sydney, Nowra, Parramatta, Wollongong, Nowra and Bowral. |
| A BOM spokesman said the high wind conditions are dangerous and extremely unusual for Sydney. | A BOM spokesman said the high wind conditions are dangerous and extremely unusual for Sydney. |
| “The most likely tornadoes are off the waters of Bondi, but further tornadoes can’t be ruled out on land,” he said. | “The most likely tornadoes are off the waters of Bondi, but further tornadoes can’t be ruled out on land,” he said. |
| Updated at 12.58am GMT | |
| 12.41am GMT00:41 | 12.41am GMT00:41 |
| If you’re due to fly out of Sydney today, allow plenty of time to get to the airport, with traffic said to be heavy on Marsh Street on Mascot. More than one Twitter user has reported “people getting out of cars and walking”. | If you’re due to fly out of Sydney today, allow plenty of time to get to the airport, with traffic said to be heavy on Marsh Street on Mascot. More than one Twitter user has reported “people getting out of cars and walking”. |
| Somethings not working on the roads to #sydneyairport today. People are abandoning taxis and walking. pic.twitter.com/vAZuayCNRN | Somethings not working on the roads to #sydneyairport today. People are abandoning taxis and walking. pic.twitter.com/vAZuayCNRN |
| Buses are delayed up to two hours through the suburb: “consider catching a train instead”, suggests the official Buses East Twitter account. | Buses are delayed up to two hours through the suburb: “consider catching a train instead”, suggests the official Buses East Twitter account. |
| Traffic has been terrible all morning around @SydneyAirport - concerns it will get worse after #sydneystorms. pic.twitter.com/Owc0E4atSK | Traffic has been terrible all morning around @SydneyAirport - concerns it will get worse after #sydneystorms. pic.twitter.com/Owc0E4atSK |
| Multiple flights out of Sydney Airport have been cancelled because of the storm, and others have been diverted. Passengers are advised to check with their airline for details. | Multiple flights out of Sydney Airport have been cancelled because of the storm, and others have been diverted. Passengers are advised to check with their airline for details. |
| Operations at @SydneyAirport at a literal standstill. Nothing going out. Incoming aircraft are holding #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/Rm53PBFL2I | Operations at @SydneyAirport at a literal standstill. Nothing going out. Incoming aircraft are holding #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/Rm53PBFL2I |
| Photo just taken from Marney's balcony in Zetland! Looking south toward #Botany and #SydneyAirport - Marney Hamilton pic.twitter.com/Y421j1luyh | Photo just taken from Marney's balcony in Zetland! Looking south toward #Botany and #SydneyAirport - Marney Hamilton pic.twitter.com/Y421j1luyh |
| Airport closed #sydneystorm #yssy #syd pic.twitter.com/CVCveoWW9K | Airport closed #sydneystorm #yssy #syd pic.twitter.com/CVCveoWW9K |
| 12.33am GMT00:33 | 12.33am GMT00:33 |
| Though tornados in Australia are relatively rare, there was in fact a warning issued for Victoria in early November. | Though tornados in Australia are relatively rare, there was in fact a warning issued for Victoria in early November. |
| Around 10 to 20 are observed annually, but can form with almost any severe thunderstorm. At the interactive datablog below, you can see every tornado recorded in the Bureau of Meteorology’s severe storm database. | Around 10 to 20 are observed annually, but can form with almost any severe thunderstorm. At the interactive datablog below, you can see every tornado recorded in the Bureau of Meteorology’s severe storm database. |
| Related: How frequent are tornadoes in Australia? We chart every tornado recorded | Related: How frequent are tornadoes in Australia? We chart every tornado recorded |
| 12.31am GMT00:31 | 12.31am GMT00:31 |
| The NSW Bureau of Meteorology has posted severe thunderstorm and marine wind warnings for New South Wales. | The NSW Bureau of Meteorology has posted severe thunderstorm and marine wind warnings for New South Wales. |
| It says “tornadoes, destructive winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding at likely”. | It says “tornadoes, destructive winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding at likely”. |
| View of the #SydneyStorm from the @BOM_NSW office. Check warnings, regular updates: https://t.co/Ss766eSCrL pic.twitter.com/b5nQWzJl9o | View of the #SydneyStorm from the @BOM_NSW office. Check warnings, regular updates: https://t.co/Ss766eSCrL pic.twitter.com/b5nQWzJl9o |
| The State Emergency Service has also published advice for Sydneysiders concerned about the storm: | The State Emergency Service has also published advice for Sydneysiders concerned about the storm: |
| With the BOM due to issue another warning within the next 45 minutes, I’m going to throw caution to the (very high) winds and not unplug my computer. | With the BOM due to issue another warning within the next 45 minutes, I’m going to throw caution to the (very high) winds and not unplug my computer. |
| For emergency help in floods and storms, you can ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500. | For emergency help in floods and storms, you can ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500. |
| 12.26am GMT00:26 | 12.26am GMT00:26 |
| The webcam at North Bondi RSL, perhaps unsurprisingly, shows a deserted Bondi Beach. | The webcam at North Bondi RSL, perhaps unsurprisingly, shows a deserted Bondi Beach. |
| i was wanting to go to the beach today don;t know if it is safe now there is a tornado in Sydney | i was wanting to go to the beach today don;t know if it is safe now there is a tornado in Sydney |
| Coogee Beach is the same. | Coogee Beach is the same. |
| This photo from Coogee Beach right now, as a violent storm moves across Sydney. #9News pic.twitter.com/Go7HyuGDuj | This photo from Coogee Beach right now, as a violent storm moves across Sydney. #9News pic.twitter.com/Go7HyuGDuj |
| 12.23am GMT00:23 | 12.23am GMT00:23 |
| Elle Hunt | Elle Hunt |
| Julian Ridden has posted this dramatic image from Hunters Hill, a suburb on Sydney’s North Shore, of the storm over the city to Twitter. | Julian Ridden has posted this dramatic image from Hunters Hill, a suburb on Sydney’s North Shore, of the storm over the city to Twitter. |
| The view from #HuntersHill as the #SydneyStorm rolls in. Incredible! pic.twitter.com/NAHYGlypdp | The view from #HuntersHill as the #SydneyStorm rolls in. Incredible! pic.twitter.com/NAHYGlypdp |
| 12.20am GMT00:20 | 12.20am GMT00:20 |
| Elle Hunt | Elle Hunt |
| We’re hearing loud thunder from Guardian Australia’s offices in Surry Hills. My colleague Nick Evershed has filed a Vine of the scene outside, which he describes as “pretty underwhelming”. You be the judge! | We’re hearing loud thunder from Guardian Australia’s offices in Surry Hills. My colleague Nick Evershed has filed a Vine of the scene outside, which he describes as “pretty underwhelming”. You be the judge! |
| Workplaces across the city seem to have been brought to a standstill by the weather event. | Workplaces across the city seem to have been brought to a standstill by the weather event. |
| It begins. Can't even see past Westpac from the office (about 3-5 blocks away) #tornado #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/cn288FefdB | It begins. Can't even see past Westpac from the office (about 3-5 blocks away) #tornado #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/cn288FefdB |
| Stay safe Sydney. #sydneystorm #hecticblue #itsraing pic.twitter.com/nWwZHLMeEq | Stay safe Sydney. #sydneystorm #hecticblue #itsraing pic.twitter.com/nWwZHLMeEq |
| 12.16am GMT00:16 | 12.16am GMT00:16 |
| Elle Hunt | Elle Hunt |
| Good morning Australia – I can confirm that it is raining heavily in the Sydney CBD, as we brace ourselves for potentially “very dangerous” developments. | Good morning Australia – I can confirm that it is raining heavily in the Sydney CBD, as we brace ourselves for potentially “very dangerous” developments. |
| My colleague Nick Evershed has been dispatched to the street to document the weather event, but while we await his return, Twitter is awash with footage. | My colleague Nick Evershed has been dispatched to the street to document the weather event, but while we await his return, Twitter is awash with footage. |
| Golf-ball sized hail pelting down from above. Cronulla is chucking it down @smh @BreakingNews #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/Xfy1Bs8hQH | Golf-ball sized hail pelting down from above. Cronulla is chucking it down @smh @BreakingNews #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/Xfy1Bs8hQH |
| Sydney right now. pic.twitter.com/SnfqFKIUrB | Sydney right now. pic.twitter.com/SnfqFKIUrB |
| The #9News skycam shows storm moving across Sydney right now. @BOM_NSW says tornado possible. pic.twitter.com/S1TjJMOFH7 | The #9News skycam shows storm moving across Sydney right now. @BOM_NSW says tornado possible. pic.twitter.com/S1TjJMOFH7 |
| #hail in #Bondi #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/eAuMf6Ipeg | #hail in #Bondi #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/eAuMf6Ipeg |
| Powerful #tornadowarnedstorm #Sydney #Bondi pic.twitter.com/pm7cxAYGzU | Powerful #tornadowarnedstorm #Sydney #Bondi pic.twitter.com/pm7cxAYGzU |
| Updated at 12.16am GMT | Updated at 12.16am GMT |
| 12.10am GMT00:10 | 12.10am GMT00:10 |
| Sydney right now. pic.twitter.com/SnfqFKIUrB | Sydney right now. pic.twitter.com/SnfqFKIUrB |
| The photos are starting to roll in: | The photos are starting to roll in: |
| This photo from Coogee Beach right now, as a violent storm moves across Sydney. #9News pic.twitter.com/Go7HyuGDuj | This photo from Coogee Beach right now, as a violent storm moves across Sydney. #9News pic.twitter.com/Go7HyuGDuj |
| OK for once I think it's fine to freak out about the weather. Never seen this before. #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/aD8oggSieP | OK for once I think it's fine to freak out about the weather. Never seen this before. #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/aD8oggSieP |
| 12.08am GMT00:08 | 12.08am GMT00:08 |
| You can find the full tornado warning issued by Bom here. | You can find the full tornado warning issued by Bom here. |
| The latest missive has a tornado warning for Sydney with “very dangerous thunderstorms” detected near the airport and southern suburb of Maroubra. The thunderstorms are moving north meaning they will pass over Sydney City, Olympic Park, Sydney Harbour Bridge and off Bondi Beach. | The latest missive has a tornado warning for Sydney with “very dangerous thunderstorms” detected near the airport and southern suburb of Maroubra. The thunderstorms are moving north meaning they will pass over Sydney City, Olympic Park, Sydney Harbour Bridge and off Bondi Beach. |
| It will move then move to the northern suburbs. | It will move then move to the northern suburbs. |
| Tornadoes, very destructive winds, large hailstones and very heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding are likely. | Tornadoes, very destructive winds, large hailstones and very heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding are likely. |
| There are wind gusts greater than 200 km/h reported in southern Sydney. | There are wind gusts greater than 200 km/h reported in southern Sydney. |
| 12.03am GMT00:03 | 12.03am GMT00:03 |
| Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms are hitting Kurnell in the south of Sydney and are moving north, predicted to hit the Sydney CBD and Harbour Bridge in the next thirty minutes. | Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms are hitting Kurnell in the south of Sydney and are moving north, predicted to hit the Sydney CBD and Harbour Bridge in the next thirty minutes. |
| Dangerous situation unfolding with storms heading north towards Sydney. Warning now includes tornadoes. Take care. pic.twitter.com/fHFGb4XrOZ | Dangerous situation unfolding with storms heading north towards Sydney. Warning now includes tornadoes. Take care. pic.twitter.com/fHFGb4XrOZ |