Severe storms batter northern New South Wales, causing widespread disruption:
This morning, northern New South Wales experienced severe storms that left over 25,000 homes and businesses without electricity, while several major roads were obstructed by fallen trees.
The State Emergency Service reported being unprepared for the electrical storm that struck the Grafton area before dawn.
As the storm progressed northward throughout the morning, it inflicted damage in various towns, including Byron Bay, Cabarita, and Tweed Heads.
Superintendent Scott McLennan noted that more than 140 calls for assistance had been received from residents.
"This number is steadily rising as the day continues and the winds shift further offshore," he stated.
Chaos on the motorway:
Transport for NSW indicated that numerous trees and power lines were down along the motorway between Brunswick Heads and Chinderah.
Iain Fogarty, a resident of Brunswick Heads, found himself in the midst of the storm while driving to Gold Coast Airport.
"As I began my journey up the highway, I was immediately engulfed by the storm, which featured horizontal rain and zero visibility," he recounted.
"I had to pull over three times due to the intensity of the rain, as I couldn't see more than 30 meters ahead."
Power outages and vehicle damage:
Essential Energy reported that efforts were underway to restore power throughout the affected region.
The storm initially impacted the Lismore, Kyogle, and Casino areas, leaving approximately 4,000 customers without electricity.
By 9:30 AM, an additional 22,000 homes and businesses in Byron Bay, Tweed Heads, Murwillumbah, Ballina, and nearby areas were also without power.
In Tweed Heads, a vehicle was crushed outside a daycare center on Kennedy Drive around 10 AM.
The NSW Ambulance Service confirmed that a man inside the car sustained minor injuries, with no other injuries reported.
Leigh McInnes, a resident of Koonorigan, described the wind that struck her home north of Lismore as unprecedented.
"It felt like a cyclone," she said.
"I could hear trees falling all around me — it was quite frightening.":
Ms. McInnes reported that two large trees had fallen across Koonorigan Road, effectively trapping her on her property, although local residents had been actively clearing the debris.
"It resembles the aftermath of an explosion," she remarked.
"There's debris scattered everywhere, with trees and branches down."
Green Lightning :
The Bureau of Meteorology indicated that the storms produced winds reaching 118 kilometers per hour at Cape Byron and 100 kilometers per hour at Casino Airport.
Meteorologist Edward Medlock explained that these gusts were a result of an overnight upper trough combined with unstable atmospheric conditions, which are expected to persist today and tomorrow.
Residents in the Ballina area witnessed a phenomenon known as green lightning during the storm activity on Wednesday evening.
Mr. Medlock clarified that green lightning occurs due to the interaction of electricity and oxygen in the atmosphere.
He noted that green clouds typically indicate a significant presence of hail and ice within the clouds.
When lightning strikes power lines, transformers, or other electrical infrastructure, it can produce a green flash.
This morning's storms also resulted in widespread rainfall.
Alstonville recorded 53 millimeters of rain, and small hail was reported in Lismore, East Lismore, and Jiggi.
Temperatures in the region are anticipated to reach between 36 and 38 degrees on Friday, increasing the risk of winds exceeding 90 kilometers per hour and the possibility of hail.
