This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
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
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 10 | Version 11 |
|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorms in Sydney after tornado warning - as it happened | Severe thunderstorms in Sydney after tornado warning - as it happened |
| (7 months later) | |
| 6.51am GMT | 6.51am GMT |
| 06:51 | 06:51 |
| 5.53am GMT | 5.53am GMT |
| 05:53 | 05:53 |
| Summary | Summary |
| 5.30am GMT | 5.30am GMT |
| 05:30 | 05:30 |
| Metropolitan warning cancelled but no joy for the non-Sydneysiders | Metropolitan warning cancelled but no joy for the non-Sydneysiders |
| Bom’s just released its most recent update, with the storm warning for metropolitan Sydney cancelled. | Bom’s just released its most recent update, with the storm warning for metropolitan Sydney cancelled. |
| The storm’s now moving up towards the ACT and the Hunter and Tablelands districts, bringing those regions their share of flash floods and hail. | The storm’s now moving up towards the ACT and the Hunter and Tablelands districts, bringing those regions their share of flash floods and hail. |
| We’ll start wrapping up our coverage shortly. | We’ll start wrapping up our coverage shortly. |
| 5.28am GMT | 5.28am GMT |
| 05:28 | 05:28 |
| Footage shot by Andrew McGregor in Kurnell shows debris flying through the air, while the storm’s advance on Sydney harbour can be seen in a timelapse. | Footage shot by Andrew McGregor in Kurnell shows debris flying through the air, while the storm’s advance on Sydney harbour can be seen in a timelapse. |
| 4.56am GMT | 4.56am GMT |
| 04:56 | 04:56 |
| Sydney commuters can expect a difficult trip home. | Sydney commuters can expect a difficult trip home. |
| Enfield drive at Bondi Junction is like a scene from Walking Dead because of floods! Gridlock. #sydneystorm #9News pic.twitter.com/tiVzU3lUAb | Enfield drive at Bondi Junction is like a scene from Walking Dead because of floods! Gridlock. #sydneystorm #9News pic.twitter.com/tiVzU3lUAb |
| Paddo blowhole #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/KxPGM0Vfko | Paddo blowhole #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/KxPGM0Vfko |
| The view from our driveway #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/wE3j6vx3gh | The view from our driveway #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/wE3j6vx3gh |
| Traffic held back by the flood on Syd Einfeld Dr! Chaos whether today. #sydneystorm #sydneyweather pic.twitter.com/djczA3mSNp | Traffic held back by the flood on Syd Einfeld Dr! Chaos whether today. #sydneystorm #sydneyweather pic.twitter.com/djczA3mSNp |
| Out our front door at Paddo. Sigh. #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/Iro1ZbbUr1 | Out our front door at Paddo. Sigh. #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/Iro1ZbbUr1 |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.58am GMT | at 4.58am GMT |
| 4.46am GMT | 4.46am GMT |
| 04:46 | 04:46 |
| Bom’s latest outlook still warns of severe thunderstorms, now bound for Lake Macquarie and, later, Newcastle City. Large hailstones, very heavy rainfall and damaging winds are still likely. | Bom’s latest outlook still warns of severe thunderstorms, now bound for Lake Macquarie and, later, Newcastle City. Large hailstones, very heavy rainfall and damaging winds are still likely. |
| Sydneysiders taking shelter from the storm under a bus stop in Randwick. #9News pic.twitter.com/qSoThowG8a | Sydneysiders taking shelter from the storm under a bus stop in Randwick. #9News pic.twitter.com/qSoThowG8a |
| 4.08am GMT | 4.08am GMT |
| 04:08 | 04:08 |
| More from AAP on Kurnell: | More from AAP on Kurnell: |
| The desalination plant in Kurnell was evacuated after reportedly sustaining significant damage and workers were also cleared out of the Caltex refinery as a safety precaution. | The desalination plant in Kurnell was evacuated after reportedly sustaining significant damage and workers were also cleared out of the Caltex refinery as a safety precaution. |
| The main road to Kurnell, Captain Cook Drive, is closed. | The main road to Kurnell, Captain Cook Drive, is closed. |
| Two trucks were blown over by the wind on Chisholm Rd but nobody was injured. | Two trucks were blown over by the wind on Chisholm Rd but nobody was injured. |
| Kurnell local Melanie Bowman said tiles had come off her roof and powerlines were down. | Kurnell local Melanie Bowman said tiles had come off her roof and powerlines were down. |
| “I can see the sky from our garage... I can see lots of parts of roofs in the street,” she said. | “I can see the sky from our garage... I can see lots of parts of roofs in the street,” she said. |
| “It felt just like a cyclone with hail and high winds. | “It felt just like a cyclone with hail and high winds. |
| “My husband has left to come home from work and he can’t actually get out here.” | “My husband has left to come home from work and he can’t actually get out here.” |
| The SES has received more than 417 requests for help with 31 volunteer team working in the Kurnell and Illawarra areas with reports of damage to infrastructure, power lines, trees and roofs. | The SES has received more than 417 requests for help with 31 volunteer team working in the Kurnell and Illawarra areas with reports of damage to infrastructure, power lines, trees and roofs. |
| Ausgrid crews are in Kurnell inspecting damage to the electricity network but tweeted that restoring the network will take time depending on the scale of damage. | Ausgrid crews are in Kurnell inspecting damage to the electricity network but tweeted that restoring the network will take time depending on the scale of damage. |
| Sutherland Shire council advised residents via its website that rubbish collection services have been cancelled until Thursday. | Sutherland Shire council advised residents via its website that rubbish collection services have been cancelled until Thursday. |
| NSW fire crews are on the scene at the Bondi Junction shopping centre where water has poured in after a roof collapsed. | NSW fire crews are on the scene at the Bondi Junction shopping centre where water has poured in after a roof collapsed. |
| Bondi Pizza waiter Michael Seeff says people started shouting “the roof has collapsed” and some customers ran out before paying the bill. | Bondi Pizza waiter Michael Seeff says people started shouting “the roof has collapsed” and some customers ran out before paying the bill. |
| “Water was coming down the sides of the walls and onto the floor,” he told AAP. | “Water was coming down the sides of the walls and onto the floor,” he told AAP. |
| 4.03am GMT | 4.03am GMT |
| 04:03 | 04:03 |
| Kurnell has been by far the worst hit in today’s storm. | Kurnell has been by far the worst hit in today’s storm. |
| “It is so very rare to get a tornado inside Sydney, much less a strong tornado,” a BOM spokesman said. | “It is so very rare to get a tornado inside Sydney, much less a strong tornado,” a BOM spokesman said. |
| Gusts in Kurnell reached up to 213km/h. “That is the fastest speed that has been recorded in NSW history,” he said. | Gusts in Kurnell reached up to 213km/h. “That is the fastest speed that has been recorded in NSW history,” he said. |
| An evacuation centre for Kurnell residents has been set up at the Cronulla Leagues Club on Captain Cook Drive, in the Sutherland Shire. | An evacuation centre for Kurnell residents has been set up at the Cronulla Leagues Club on Captain Cook Drive, in the Sutherland Shire. |
| Injuries are minimal but three ambulances have been sent to the Kurnell Public School as a precaution “in anticipation of a second storm”, an ambulance spokesman told AAP. | Injuries are minimal but three ambulances have been sent to the Kurnell Public School as a precaution “in anticipation of a second storm”, an ambulance spokesman told AAP. |
| A 40-year-old man in Kurnell suffered head injuries after reports of storm damage to a building, a 38-year-old man was treated for shock and another patient was treated for an unspecified conditio. | A 40-year-old man in Kurnell suffered head injuries after reports of storm damage to a building, a 38-year-old man was treated for shock and another patient was treated for an unspecified conditio. |
| A 75-year-old woman received cuts to her leg, while a man was struck by debris and an elderly man was treated for anxiety. | A 75-year-old woman received cuts to her leg, while a man was struck by debris and an elderly man was treated for anxiety. |
| All patients have been taken to Sutherland Hospital in a stable condition. | All patients have been taken to Sutherland Hospital in a stable condition. |
| JUST IN: Further footage of the strong winds earlier in #Kurnell, causing significant damage throughout the area. pic.twitter.com/RoRa7JBIUc | JUST IN: Further footage of the strong winds earlier in #Kurnell, causing significant damage throughout the area. pic.twitter.com/RoRa7JBIUc |
| Ariel photos of the current scenes at #Kurnell. Most damage has occurred particularly around Bridges Street. pic.twitter.com/Yl0czVaefW | Ariel photos of the current scenes at #Kurnell. Most damage has occurred particularly around Bridges Street. pic.twitter.com/Yl0czVaefW |
| Some of the scenes we are seeing in #Kurnell pic.twitter.com/vN6dEzFgeN | Some of the scenes we are seeing in #Kurnell pic.twitter.com/vN6dEzFgeN |
| Some more photos from Kurnell. Staff from this business huddled in the toilet as the tornado moved through. pic.twitter.com/31CkiovJ95 | Some more photos from Kurnell. Staff from this business huddled in the toilet as the tornado moved through. pic.twitter.com/31CkiovJ95 |
| The Westpac Life Saver rescue helicopter has recorded images over Kurnell showing major structural damage to homes. | The Westpac Life Saver rescue helicopter has recorded images over Kurnell showing major structural damage to homes. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.06am GMT | at 4.06am GMT |
| 3.54am GMT | 3.54am GMT |
| 03:54 | 03:54 |
| The Public Information and Inquiry Centre has been opened to support the current severe weather response in New South Wales. | The Public Information and Inquiry Centre has been opened to support the current severe weather response in New South Wales. |
| Members of the public can reach it on 1800 227 228 regarding information on the flood and storm operation. | Members of the public can reach it on 1800 227 228 regarding information on the flood and storm operation. |
| Additional information in relation to the warnings can be viewed on emergency.nsw.gov.au. | Additional information in relation to the warnings can be viewed on emergency.nsw.gov.au. |
| The inquiry hotline does not replace any emergency numbers. | The inquiry hotline does not replace any emergency numbers. |
| 3.50am GMT | 3.50am GMT |
| 03:50 | 03:50 |
| Striking scenes from Bondi. That top tweeted video appears to show part of the roof collapsing at Westfield Bondi Junction. | Striking scenes from Bondi. That top tweeted video appears to show part of the roof collapsing at Westfield Bondi Junction. |
| Omg!!! I was there. Scary 😱😱😱#sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/XVyqOUhUTM | Omg!!! I was there. Scary 😱😱😱#sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/XVyqOUhUTM |
| Roof collapsed over Zara at Westfield Bondi Junction, people are screaming and could have been killed! #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/HCh38CZACU | Roof collapsed over Zara at Westfield Bondi Junction, people are screaming and could have been killed! #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/HCh38CZACU |
| Emergency at Westfield Bondi Junction - Lindt balls are getting ruined. Absolutely ruined. #sydnado pic.twitter.com/5x1h0VrqBQ | Emergency at Westfield Bondi Junction - Lindt balls are getting ruined. Absolutely ruined. #sydnado pic.twitter.com/5x1h0VrqBQ |
| Stuck inside the chemist. Send help! #sydneystorm #sydney #hail #thunderstorm #bondijunction @9NewsSyd pic.twitter.com/fy2d749N8J | Stuck inside the chemist. Send help! #sydneystorm #sydney #hail #thunderstorm #bondijunction @9NewsSyd pic.twitter.com/fy2d749N8J |
| Water is pouring in at #BondiJunction Westfield. Shoppers evac'd but unsure where to go. @9NewsSyd pic.twitter.com/21L9EmRgRD | Water is pouring in at #BondiJunction Westfield. Shoppers evac'd but unsure where to go. @9NewsSyd pic.twitter.com/21L9EmRgRD |
| Casual river crossing 😂😂 #BondiJunction #9news #TenNews #7news #SydneyStorm #Flood pic.twitter.com/eWMc1bLFMq | Casual river crossing 😂😂 #BondiJunction #9news #TenNews #7news #SydneyStorm #Flood pic.twitter.com/eWMc1bLFMq |
| #sydneystorm at north bondi pic.twitter.com/YP4eon27hq | #sydneystorm at north bondi pic.twitter.com/YP4eon27hq |
| Not a great day to be this guy. #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/gc9pPKo266 | Not a great day to be this guy. #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/gc9pPKo266 |
| Storm over a deserted Bondi Beach #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/1amKEabPLk | Storm over a deserted Bondi Beach #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/1amKEabPLk |
| I was gonna go to Bondi junction today but it's flooding and part of the Westfield roof collapsed so maybe not | I was gonna go to Bondi junction today but it's flooding and part of the Westfield roof collapsed so maybe not |
| Of course, life goes on: | Of course, life goes on: |
| Also, if you see a non-eaten fondue in Max Brenner, that's mine damnit!! #sydneystorm #bondiwestfield https://t.co/fwJ8nE97BU | Also, if you see a non-eaten fondue in Max Brenner, that's mine damnit!! #sydneystorm #bondiwestfield https://t.co/fwJ8nE97BU |
| with WBJ event cinemas evacuated after the #sydneystorm, gotta wonder what's happening with the #StarWarsForceAwakens midnight screenings | with WBJ event cinemas evacuated after the #sydneystorm, gotta wonder what's happening with the #StarWarsForceAwakens midnight screenings |
| 3.38am GMT | 3.38am GMT |
| 03:38 | 03:38 |
| There’s some sizeable hail out there. | There’s some sizeable hail out there. |
| Ice cubes the size of hailstones @surry_hills #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/COGIcVxCeW | Ice cubes the size of hailstones @surry_hills #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/COGIcVxCeW |
| Golf ball sized hail in the Shire. #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/yz02GV6I4O | Golf ball sized hail in the Shire. #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/yz02GV6I4O |
| That's a whopper! #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/XL2nPpQRg3 | That's a whopper! #sydneystorm pic.twitter.com/XL2nPpQRg3 |
| Just a little bit hail @BOM_nsw #sydney #hail #sydneystorm @smh @newscomauHQ @ Cronulla Beach pic.twitter.com/7hYSmeFC1L | Just a little bit hail @BOM_nsw #sydney #hail #sydneystorm @smh @newscomauHQ @ Cronulla Beach pic.twitter.com/7hYSmeFC1L |
| #sydneystorm Wee bit of hail here in Blackheath! pic.twitter.com/pmBpmyXteo | #sydneystorm Wee bit of hail here in Blackheath! pic.twitter.com/pmBpmyXteo |
| 3.32am GMT | 3.32am GMT |
| 03:32 | 03:32 |
| Severe thunderstorms after tornado warning | Severe thunderstorms after tornado warning |
| 3.16am GMT | 3.16am GMT |
| 03:16 | 03:16 |
| Severe thunderstorms are currently underway near Sydney City, Sydney Airport, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Wollemi National Park north of Kurrajong and Dooralong. | Severe thunderstorms are currently underway near Sydney City, Sydney Airport, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Wollemi National Park north of Kurrajong and Dooralong. |
| The thunderstorms are moving towards the northeast, and are forecast to hit Manly, Terrey Hills and waters off Bondi Beach in about 20 minutes’ time. By 3pm, they’ll be at Mona Vale, Palm Beach and Wollombi. | The thunderstorms are moving towards the northeast, and are forecast to hit Manly, Terrey Hills and waters off Bondi Beach in about 20 minutes’ time. By 3pm, they’ll be at Mona Vale, Palm Beach and Wollombi. |
| BOM is still forecasting destructive winds, large hailstones and very heavy rainfall, with the possibility of flash flooding. | BOM is still forecasting destructive winds, large hailstones and very heavy rainfall, with the possibility of flash flooding. |
| The destructive winds, peaking at 213 km/h, associated with the possible tornado that hit Kurnell at 10:30am have now moved well offshore. | The destructive winds, peaking at 213 km/h, associated with the possible tornado that hit Kurnell at 10:30am have now moved well offshore. |
| Meanwhile, NSW Police have suggested we all go home early. | Meanwhile, NSW Police have suggested we all go home early. |
| Work in an area hit by today's #sydneystorm? @nswpolice encouraging people to leave work early to avoid possible traffic & transport delays | Work in an area hit by today's #sydneystorm? @nswpolice encouraging people to leave work early to avoid possible traffic & transport delays |
| Surge pricing for Uber in Sydney CBD is 1.3x the normal fare. | Surge pricing for Uber in Sydney CBD is 1.3x the normal fare. |
| 3.07am GMT | 3.07am GMT |
| 03:07 | 03:07 |
| And the latest advice for Kurnell residents. | And the latest advice for Kurnell residents. |
| There is obvious evidence that we have had a tornado go through Cronulla today,” Bureau of Meteorologist Alan Sharp said. | There is obvious evidence that we have had a tornado go through Cronulla today,” Bureau of Meteorologist Alan Sharp said. |
| Evacuation centre for #Kurnell residents has moved from Kurnell RFB station to Cronulla Leagues Club #NSWRFS pic.twitter.com/puaZ4wNaZ2 | Evacuation centre for #Kurnell residents has moved from Kurnell RFB station to Cronulla Leagues Club #NSWRFS pic.twitter.com/puaZ4wNaZ2 |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.19am GMT | at 3.19am GMT |
| 3.05am GMT | 3.05am GMT |
| 03:05 | 03:05 |
| The latest from Fire and Rescue NSW | The latest from Fire and Rescue NSW |
| SYDNEY STORMS | 20+ #FRNSW crews assisting @NSWSES at KURNELL. Crews have attended 60+ storm incidents so far. pic.twitter.com/N1J9Qel3SB | SYDNEY STORMS | 20+ #FRNSW crews assisting @NSWSES at KURNELL. Crews have attended 60+ storm incidents so far. pic.twitter.com/N1J9Qel3SB |
| 2.53am GMT | 2.53am GMT |
| 02:53 | 02:53 |
| Nominative determinism in Flood Street: | Nominative determinism in Flood Street: |
| 2.53am GMT | 2.53am GMT |
| 02:53 | 02:53 |
| More from The Guardian’s Patrick Keneally: | More from The Guardian’s Patrick Keneally: |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.19am GMT | at 3.19am GMT |
| 2.46am GMT | 2.46am GMT |
| 02:46 | 02:46 |
| Gabrielle Jackson has an update from Westfield at Bondi Junction: | Gabrielle Jackson has an update from Westfield at Bondi Junction: |
| I didn’t see anyone injured. There is now chaos in the car park. It was only a section of the roof in the restaurant precinct but water was streaming out from either side of the sprinklers onto escalators and inside restaurant and we were saying how dangerous it looked when a massive section of plasterboard roof fell from the 3rd floor to the ground. A section hit one woman at the top of the escalator but she was ok. An ambulance has arrived. | I didn’t see anyone injured. There is now chaos in the car park. It was only a section of the roof in the restaurant precinct but water was streaming out from either side of the sprinklers onto escalators and inside restaurant and we were saying how dangerous it looked when a massive section of plasterboard roof fell from the 3rd floor to the ground. A section hit one woman at the top of the escalator but she was ok. An ambulance has arrived. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.20am GMT | at 3.20am GMT |
| 2.42am GMT | 2.42am GMT |
| 02:42 | 02:42 |
| The Guardian’s intrepid Patrick Keneally shot this at home. Heaviest rain he’s seen in Bondi. | The Guardian’s intrepid Patrick Keneally shot this at home. Heaviest rain he’s seen in Bondi. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.20am GMT | at 3.20am GMT |