Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast, Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra and parts of South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Northern Tablelands and North West Slopes and Plains Forecast Districts.

Issued at 5:48 pm Wednesday, 29 November 2023.
VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORM WITH GIANT HAIL AND POSSIBLE DESTRUCTIVE WINDS APPROACHING GRAFTON. Severe thunderstorms continuing over remainder of eastern New South Wales.

Weather Situation: An upper-level low over southeast New South Wales is maintaining unstable conditions across much of eastern New South Wales this afternoon and evening. Thunderstorm risk gradually shifting eastward towards the coast.

A very dangerous thunderstorm approaching Grafton from the south west is likely to produce damaging, locally destructive winds, large, possibly giant hailstones and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast and Northern Tablelands districts. Locations which may be affected include Grafton, Jackadgery, Maclean, Copmanhurst, Coutts Crossing, Nymboida, Ulmarra and Brooms Head.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones, heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and damaging winds over the next several hours in the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast, Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra and parts of the South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Northern Tablelands and North West Slopes and Plains districts.
Locations which may be affected include Lismore, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Taree, Newcastle, Gosford, Sydney, Wollongong, Nowra, Batemans Bay and Goulburn.

A Severe Weather Warning for heavy rainfall and damaging winds is current for South Coast and parts of the Snowy Mountains districts.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Move your car 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.
* 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.
* Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.
* If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
* Be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid. It may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks.
* After bushfires, heavy rain and the loss of foliage can make the ground soft and heavy, leading to a greater chance of landslides.
* Unplug computers and appliances.
* Avoid using the phone during the storm.
* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.