Tornado hits Ulladulla as severe storms sweep across New South Wales

A small tornado swept through Ulladulla on the NSW South Coast on Saturday, shocking residents, knocking down trees and damaging buildings, as severe thunderstorms descend on the state.

Ulladulla mother Wishaya La Spina was in her car with her baby when she saw the tornado blast past about 1pm.

“It was already storming, but nothing too severe. Then the wind just started to pick up and the next minute we spotted that little tornado,” she said.

She whipped her phone out to film, feeling helpless and unsure if she should stay in the car or flee.

“It was pretty scary,” said La Spina, whose baby was crying. “I was trying to protect him because you never know when a tree could come falling,” she said.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm and damaging wind gusts warning for central and south-eastern parts of the state, including Sydney, Wollongong, Katoomba, Penrith, Parramatta and Bowral.

Thunderstorms likely to produce damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding were forecast to affect Wollongong, Campbelltown and Liverpool by 4.10pm and Sutherland, Sydney Airport, Richmond, Penrith and Sydney Olympic Park by 4.40pm.

Across the state, the SES has recorded more than 80 incidents, most of which occurred in Ulladulla. A NSW SES spokesperson said it has had multiple reports of roofs blown from homes, significant damage to properties and trees down across roads.

The SES said it was on standby and ready for the storms.

Get to the heart of what’s happening with climate change and the environment. Sign up for our fortnightly Environment newsletter.

You have reached your maximum number of saved items.

Remove items from your saved list to add more.