Roofs were ripped off houses and trees were on houses and cars in Shortland after a fast and furious storm tore through Newcastle on Monday night.
Wind gusts of up to 146km/h were felt at Nobbys just after 8pm, which Weatherzone said was a spring time record for the area. This quickly dropped down to 26km/h by 8.30pm.
While the storm was felt across the wider Hunter, about 200 of the SES calls received were in Newcastle alone.
In Shortland, uprooted trees landed on cars, houses and across roads.
An entire shed was lifted off the ground, landing over a fence and many residents were outside on Tuesday clearing their yards and streets of debris.
SES Hunter spokesperson Alex Varley said the vast majority of the calls they received were tree-related.
"There were a lot of trees down, a lot of trees over roads," she said.
"There were some whole roofs blown off. We're talking quite significant building damage.
"We did have some leaking roofs but most were wind-related."
Ausgrid spokesperson Emma Shanks said about 22,000 people lost power on Monday night, including about 10,000 who were still affected on Tuesday morning. By 2pm, that number had dropped to 4,000 and was at less than 2,000 at 3pm.
Damage from last night’s storm in #Shortland@newcastleheraldpic.twitter.com/qxsj1CFomh
— Sage Swinton (@sageswinton) November 17, 2020
She said about 200 hazards had been detected, including trees over power lines, and crews would work with emergency services to rectify those hazards and get the power back on.
"We're hoping to get everyone back on by dinner time," Ms Shanks said.
However, Ms Shanks said a small number of homes may still be without power tonight due to acute damage in some areas.
The University of Newcastle reported that the Callaghan Campus suffered tree and debris damage, and has urged people to use caution and care when attending the campus.
Police said some traffic lights were still out as the clean up continues.
"Do not go near fallen power lines, and if you are driving please be patient on the roads and slow down if you are around intersections where the traffic lights are blacked out or flashing yellow," Newcastle City Police said in a statement."
Our crews are responding to fallen trees across the LGA this morning after last night’s intense storm. Thanks for your patience as we get through this work ⛈🍃
— City of Newcastle (@CityNewcastle) November 16, 2020
