Woman killed as wild storm smashes Sydney suburbs
A woman has died and two others have been injured after a wild storm ripped through Sydney's northern beaches on Sunday afternoon.
Emergency services received multiple reports of storm damage across the area from 3.30pm on Sunday, with trees and powerlines down across suburbs from Mona Vale to Forestville.
Police, NSW Ambulance paramedics, Fire & Rescue NSW, and the Westpac helicopter responded to the incident at a car park on Ocean Street, Narrabeen, after reports a tree and powerlines had come down.
One patient, a woman believed to be in her 70s was treated for multiple injuries and taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in a serious condition, NSW Ambulance said.
A second patient, a woman believed to be in her late teens was treated for spinal and head injuries and also taken to hospital.
A woman in her 70s was pronounced dead at the scene.
"The area is still considered hazardous, and members of the public are advised to avoid the area," police said in a statement on Sunday evening.
NSW Ambulance inspector Christie Marks said it was fortunate more people weren't ultimately hurt.
"This was just a tragic scene to attend. These women were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time when this storm hit.
Huge storm cell just rushed through Narrabeen on Sydney’s northern beaches. Trees are down everywhere, traffic lights and blackouts everywhere. Gusts were ferocious. pic.twitter.com/JXaIhAG8Hq
— Luke Hopewell (@lukehopewell) December 19, 2021
"The strength of the storm is evident in the destruction it caused. Given the size of this tree it’s remarkable there weren’t more people injured," she said.
Photos posted online show the destruction caused by heavy winds in the area which were even described by some witnesses as like a mini tornado.
One local sought shelter in his car, filming a video after the storm hit while he was at the beach.
"I literally just got hit by a branch," he says in the clip, describing the storm as "insanely destructive".
Was just at Narrabeen Beach as the storm passed through. Absolutely insanely destructive winds and rain. Had to leg it for the car to avoid flying tree branches and objects. Lots of damage and lights out everywhere. #storm #narrabeen pic.twitter.com/9PAB0F20Fy
— Daniel Timms (@danielroytimms) December 19, 2021
Another woman also posted images of the damage as she sheltered in her car.
"Blessed not to be killed today," she wrote on Facebook. "We just got smashed in a storm of biblical proportions on Narrabeen Lagoon.
"The wind was cyclonic and the rain was coming from all directions that no matter which way you turned your head, you were inhaling water!"
NSW SES said it had received almost 300 requests for assistance hours after the storm hit.
"Our members are working through the jobs, which are mostly for fallen trees, powerlines and damaged roofs," it said.
with AAP
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