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A massive storm system pushed into NSW leaving a path of destruction in its wake as strong winds downed trees and flash floods overwhelmed roads.
Sydneysiders have woken up to the damage caused by the intense weather system that flooded inner-city tunnels and brought down giant trees on the upper north shoreline as a month’s worth of rain struck in a single night.
More than 320 calls were made to the NSW SES overnight as high winds wreaked havoc across the city.
A huge tree collapsed in Pymble, where some of the worst damage was reported.
Eleven statewide flood rescues were required and nine cars were trapped in floodwaters.
Huge rain totals were reported across the city with Terrey Hills reporting a whopping 92mm of rain.
The storm cell broke a sweltering heat wave across the city after days of uncomfortably hot and humid nights.
A tree was downed in Pymble (above), where some of the worst storm damage in Sydney was reported on Tuesday.
Liberal candidate for Vaucluse Kellie Sloane captured this flooding in the East Interchange tunnel (above)
Some 250 homes also lost power when power lines were downed.
The storm cell originated in the center-west with rains that hit since Tuesday afternoon.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Orange received 38 mm of rain only between 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Vaucluse Liberal candidate Kellie Sloane used her Twitter account to post a video of flooding in the East Interchange tunnel.
Vehicles can be seen struggling to get through the sudden deluge.
It follows a freak storm that passed over the New South Wales coast over the weekend, knocking out power to some 30,000 homes and businesses.
Sudden rain also forced the closure of the NorthConnex tunnel from Wahroonga to West Pennant Hills, and a downed tree on the tracks prevented trains from running on the T1 North Shore line.
The storm cell is expected to move inland on Wednesday, but hot and dry conditions in the west mean increased temperatures heading into the weekend in Sydney.
The Met Office said wild storms will affect Sydney, the New South Wales central coast, the central foothills and the northern tablelands from Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday.
Meanwhile, South Australians have been reminded that more than 500 children and pets were released from locked cars in the state last year as residents continue to swelter in a heatwave.
The Royal Automobile Association has asked people to take extra care in the coming days, with temperatures forecast to reach 40 degrees in some regional centers.
RAA senior manager Charles Mountain said the cars could quickly heat up to more than twice the outside temperature.
“Under no circumstances be tempted to leave children or animals unattended in a parked vehicle, especially in this weather,” Mountain said.
“During heat waves like the one we are experiencing this week, the temperature inside a closed car will rise to dangerous levels in a matter of minutes.”
The RAA said a recent experiment it conducted showed temperatures inside the car could rise to over 80 degrees in 20 minutes in full sun.
Just a few minutes of exposure to this type of heat can cause significant harm to a child, Mountain said.
After two days in the mid-30s, the Met Office has forecast the mercury to hit 38C in Adelaide on Wednesday, 40C on Thursday and 39C on Friday before a cool change.
That will make it the longest string of days of 35°C or higher since December 2019.
The conditions have prompted authorities to activate emergency plans for heatwaves, with the State Emergency Service urging people in warmer regions to stay indoors if possible.
Community centers have been opened in Adelaide for rough sleepers and homeless services are running outreach programs across the city.
Red Cross will also carry out free health checks by phone.
Human Services Minister Nat Cook said South Australians were lucky to live in a community that cared for and supported the vulnerable, isolated and elderly.
“This is the first significant heat wave in over three years and it is critical that people stay safe,” he said.
“Extreme heat during the day is bad, but when it doesn’t cool down at night, people’s bodies don’t have a chance to recover and may be at risk.”