Severe thunderstorms ripped through Sydney, warnings for regional NSW

Severe storms ripped through Sydney and the Central Coast as emergency crews worked through the night tackling dozens of calls.

A severe thunderstorm warning remains in place for hail and heavy rain for much of the state's north.

The State Emergency Service are warning regional New South Wales of a severe thunderstorm producing large hailstones and heavy rainfall, leading to flash flooding tonight.

Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the Mid North Coast district and the warning for this district has been cancelled.

The areas to be affected are Scone, Tamworth, Gunnedah, Narrabri, Coonabarabran and Dunedoo.

Twenty thousand lightning strikes lit up Sydney’s sky overnight after a spectacular sunset but it was short lived as the city was lashed with hail and high winds.

Emergency crew worked hard to tackle 173 calls for help, the majority were for fallen down trees and damage roofs.

Motorists were also pelted with heavy rain and hail and Pyrmont traffic was blocked to an on-ramp on the Western Distributor.

Flash flooding also caused destruction at Turramurra, in the city's north-west.

Storms also wreaked havoc in the NSW Hunter region and Newcastle and emergency services have just restored power to the Newcastle's CBD but parts of the Hunter are still blacked out.

It has been reported there are still 3,000 homes without power.

The storms also caused grief for Ed Sheeran also after he was forced delayed his performance at Allianz stadium as the rain grew heavier

'''The SES has advised Sydney residents to:

• Move your car under cover.

• 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.

• Unplug computers and appliances.

• Avoid using the phone during the storm.

• Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.

For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.