SYDNEY, Australia - Giant hailstones following a heavy rainfall caused fear among people in New South Wales.
The Bureau of Meteorology stated that the recorded wind gusts of 213 km/h are the highest in history. The storm surge happened around 10:30 am in the neighborhood of Kurnell, south of Sydney.
The agency issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning in different parts of New South Wales after detecting destructive winds and giant hailstones.
In a report by Mashable, photos of the giant stones were circulated on various social media, comparing the stones to a medieval-looking weapon.
A few houses also felt the wrath of the storm with their roofs detaching from the structure. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, electricity was cut to 800 residents and 7000 business establishments. This is due to metal sheetings thrown across the roads, aside from the detached roofs landing on properties.
"There is obvious evidence that we have had a tornado go through Cronulla today," said meteorologist Alan Sharp of the Bureau of Meteorology.
"I was astounded to see that the automatic weather station was able to record that wind gust and not fail under the onslaught it would have been copping," said senior meteorologist James Taylor.
Around 1:30 pm, several thunderstorms struck the city causing more damages and flash floods. All residents in Bondi Junction were immediately evacuated.
Then, by 6:30 pm, the bureau received reports of approximately 600 call-outs in different parts of southern Sydney. The NSW State of Emergency Service volunteers conducted 15 flood rescues for victims trapped inside their vehicles.
"There is a lot of roof damage, trees down, power lines down. And in Sydney's east it has been mostly incidents of flash flooding," said SES spokesperson Sue Pritchard.
Flights in the city were also delayed due to the heavy storm. Incoming flights were diverted to other locations.