Sydney storm to continue through Central Tablelands

After Sydney was hit with another severe storm yesterday evening, residents are being urged to stay safe and Central Tablelands residents in particular should brace for further inclement conditions.

Image: Samuel van Dyke via SES .

Major storms hit Sydney and the Central Coast yesterday, with many Western suburbs being worst affected. According to the SES, some of the places that were hit hardest included Mount Druitt, Blacktown, Penrith and The Hills.

Although further Sydney warnings were cancelled early this morning, at 9.44am the Bureau of Meteorology updated and reinstated a severe thunderstorm warning for heavy rainfall. People in parts of the Central Tablelands and Central West Slopes and Plains districts can expect stormy conditions, including heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding, over the next several hours.

Areas that might be at risk include Orange, Parkes, Blayney, Forbes and Cowra.

The SES also advised that some suburbs around the Sydney metropolitan area may still be experiencing power outages. If this is the case in your area, you should contact your energy provider to check for updates on the situation.

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From Wednesday afternoon, the SES had just over 860 jobs reported, 448 of which were complete at time of writing, and 4 Flood Rescues.

This morning, the Bureau of Meteorology still has minor flood warnings standing for areas around the Bogan, Severn, Orara, and Clarence Rivers, although conditions are improving in most areas.

Tips to stay safe during the Sydney storm

• Keep clear of flood areas. The SES advises people to stay away from creeks or storm drains during wild weather. And if there is flooding in your area, never walk, cycle or drive through flood water. 
• Unplug appliances during storms. While a storm is occurring, unplug computers and electrical appliances to keep them safe from power surges or blackouts. Also avoid using landline phones. 
• Know who to call in an emergency. If you’re caught in flooding or any other emergency, call 000. You can also call the SES on 132 500 in NSW or ACT. 
• Make sure your insurance is up-to-date. While not life-threatening, the bill from major storms can be steep. It’s worth the time to review your insurance now, so you know you're covered for future damage that might put a dent in your budget.