“Bomb Cyclone” Hits NSW Coast, Cutting Power To Tens Of Thousands

The “bomb cyclone” continues to lash eastern New South Wales today, bringing destructive winds and torrential rain that have cut power to more than 36,000 households and triggered emergency responses across Sydney, the Central Coast and the South Coast.

The powerful coastal low-pressure system has lingered offshore near the Illawarra region and is expected to ease by Thursday, though conditions remain volatile in the meantime.

Residents have been warned to expect wind gusts of up to 120km/h and further rainfall that may worsen existing hazards.

Electricity providers Ausgrid and Endeavour Energy report widespread blackouts, particularly across Sydney’s eastern and western suburbs, the Central Coast, and South Coast towns.

At its peak, more than 300 separate power hazards were reported, with emergency crews working through the night in hazardous conditions to restore services.

SES warns of flash flooding risks

Emergency services have issued evacuation orders for areas at risk of flash flooding and coastal erosion, forcing residents in parts of Wamberal, The Entrance, Burrill Lake and Sanctuary Point to flee rising waters and structural threats.

A flood watch is also in place for the Hawkesbury-Nepean River, including the Penrith and North Richmond areas.

The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) has responded to over 2,800 incidents in the past 24 hours, including flood rescues, fallen trees, and roof damage. More than 200 properties around Burrill Lake were inundated overnight, with some homes experiencing water above floor level.

“Flash flooding does remain a key concern to us as the rain continues to fall, and this is particularly in the areas of Sydney, the Illawarra, and the South Coast,” said SES Deputy Commissioner Debbie Platz.

She added, “As the situation begins to calm in some areas, I remind everybody we are not out of the woods yet. What we expect is that this system will start to ease as the system moves further south and east on Thursday.”

The impact of the storm is being felt across transport networks as well. Sydney Airport has faced major disruption for two consecutive days, with nearly 100 flights either cancelled or delayed due to high winds and reduced runway capacity.

Passengers reported long queues and confusion, with some only learning upon arrival that their flights had been cancelled or overbooked. Evening flights have also been affected, suggesting no immediate relief for travellers.

Fallen trees and power line damage have forced shutdowns on key train routes, including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, and Newcastle lines.

Some services are operating at reduced frequency or have been replaced by buses, causing long delays for commuters. Additionally, emergency crews were dispatched to Lewisham after strong winds dislodged a roof threatening to crash onto the rail corridor.

Transport for NSW has urged people to avoid non-essential travel and allow extra time if travel is unavoidable.