NSW bomb cyclone unleashes chaos, power cuts, mass evacuations and commuter mayhem as the worst yet to come

Eastern New South Wales is being pounded by a powerful coastal storm that has caused major disruptions across the region, cutting power to tens of thousands, halting train services, flooding communities, and forcing urgent evacuations along the coast.

Authorities warn that the storm is intensifying and will likely worsen through Wednesday(July 3).

“This situation is going to worsen over the course of the next 24 hours,” said NSW Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib late Tuesday. “This is not the time for complacency. In the next 24 hours, there’s a chance of more rain and strong and damaging winds.”

Train network crippled

Parts of the rail network ground to a halt on Tuesday as trees and power lines collapsed onto tracks. One train near Kingswood was struck by a falling tree that crashed through the driver’s window and took down overhead power lines. No injuries were reported, but services were suspended on the T1 Western and Blue Mountains lines.

In Lake Macquarie, 60 passengers were evacuated after power lines fell on a train. “It’s like freezing cold, rainy, full torrential storm,” said commuter Benji Sitter, who was trying to reach Blacktown for training.

Thousands without power, dozens ordered out

As of Tuesday night, over 40,000 homes and businesses were without electricity. The NSW SES responded to more than 2,800 incidents, including seven flood rescues, in just 24 hours.

Coastal erosion forced the evacuation of over 40 homes at Wamberal and The Entrance North on the Central Coast. Emergency crews raced to reinforce sandbag barriers as rising tides threatened beachfront properties.

Weather set to intensify

The Bureau of Meteorology warned of continued wild weather, with wind gusts reaching up to 130km/h, especially along the Illawarra and South Coast. Rainfall totals hit 83mm in Ulladulla and 70mm in Kiama within eight hours.

Flood watches remain in effect across the Hunter, Hawkesbury-Nepean, Mid North Coast, and Snowy catchments, stretching into Victoria.

Stay safe and informed

Deputy Commissioner Debbie Platz praised the “amazing effort” of over 1,200 SES volunteers. “The weather is still deteriorating in some areas,” she said. “Please heed the warnings and stay safe.”

Authorities are urging residents to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and prepare for ongoing disruptions.