Gale winds and relentless rain ravaged Sydney on Saturday, culminating in a fatal tree collapse onto a car 90 km south of the city center around 4 PM. The female driver perished on impact, turning a stormy commute deadly.
Emergency teams battled the elements to reach the wreckage. Minor harm befell the front male occupant, while rear passengers remained injury-free—a narrow escape in the tempest.
The storm’s wrath sparked northern Sydney floods and airport disruptions statewide. Emergency services logged hundreds of calls, saving four lives in the process.
Superintendent Matt Kirby told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that heavy precipitation would persist Sunday in Sydney and neighboring areas. His plea was direct: “Steer clear of flooded roads and precarious parking spots under trees.”
Sydney beaches fell under lockdown from hazardous surf, as cops warned against wave-prone zones. Australia’s weather extremes continue to test resilience.
Victoria’s Thursday alerts flagged coastal floods near Great Ocean Road, where 120 km southwest of Melbourne, cars bobbed in torrents online. No power for hours, no losses, said Erin Mason on ABC.
Lorne’s 170 mm rain in seven hours broke 2021 records. Bushfires separately torched 410,000 hectares, demolishing 900 sites including 260 homes, per Commissioner Tim Webusch.