Two injured, one horse dead as hail sweeps through Grafton races

UPDATE: A hail storm that swept through Grafton today caused havoc during the running of the Ben Looker Class 3 Handicap, which left a horse dead and several participants injured, according to reports.

Four jockeys reportedly fell of their horses and a race course worker sustained a serious head injury and was taken to hospital.

The horse that ran second at Grafton called ‘Beau Brock’ broke it’s leg and was put down.

Residents on the Central Coast have copped a dumping of hailstones so big it's made streets look like mini snowfields as a severe thunderstorm warning is issued for parts of eastern New South Wales.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns large hailstones, heavy rain and damaging winds are due to hit the Mid North Coast, Northern Rivers and Hunter region this afternoon.

SEVERE WEATHER UPDATES HERE

Hail stones blanket a street in Bateau Bay as the region cops an icy storm. Photo: Twitter/PeterTimpe

The SES has already received over 90 calls for help from Maitland and Wyong, and have carried out six flood rescues. Fire and Rescue have attended to flooding at Bateau Bay mall, where heavy rain has caused roof damage.

7News viewer and Facebook user Messy Pelican Jessy from Berkeley Vale was perplexed on seeing mounds of 'snow' gathered on the front of the house, captioning photos: "Is it snowing or what?".

Viewer Molly Hibberd was able to stand ankle-deep in hailstones in her front garden in Tumbi Umbi, her house looking more like a scene from an American Christmas movie than that of a Central Coast residence.

Drivers are being urged by police to be careful on the roads, with varying levels of rain and hail forecast for the next seven days.

7News viewer Molly Hibberd writes: 'My front garden in tumbi umbi'. Photo: 7News Sydney Facebook

Hail pummels Berkeley Vale on the Central Coast. "Is it snowing or what? haha" wrote 7News viewer Messy Pelican Jessy. Photo: 7News Facebook

Drivers, motorcycles riders, cyclists and pedestrians alike need to be aware of the conditions, which will make roads slippery and unpredictable, Acting Assistance Commissioner David Driver says.

"Personal responsibility over the next seven days will be the key to saving lives," he said in a statement on Wednesday.

Gardens littered with white hail in Killarney Vale on the Central Coast. Photo: 7News Facebook/Brian Hatfield

Gardens littered with white hail in Killarney Vale on the Central Coast. Photo: 7News Facebook/Brian Hatfield

Road users are asked to drive or ride with lights on in heavy rain, to double the `three second gap' rule in rain, avoid flooded roads, and be aware that roads may become unstable.

"Those that continue to speed, drink or drug drive, not wear a seatbelt or proper helmet, are fatigued or distracted by a mobile phone are the ones that will be a greatest risk during this current wet weather period," Mr Driver said.