Severe Storm Batters Sydney for Second Day, Cancels Flights and Cuts Power

Severe Storm Batters Sydney for Second Day, Cancels Flights and Cuts Power
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A powerful storm slammed Sydney and Australia’s southeast coast for a second day on Wednesday, cancelling dozens of flights and leaving thousands without power, Reuters reported. Qantas and Virgin Australia scrapped at least 55 domestic flights, while some international services were delayed.

Train services were disrupted and residents were urged to avoid non-essential travel. A fast-forming coastal low-pressure system, described as a “bomb cyclone,” brought wind gusts over 100 kph and dumped a month’s worth of rain in just six hours in some areas. More than 35,000 properties in New South Wales lost power overnight as trees fell and power lines were damaged.

Roads in the Illawarra region were closed due to flooding and debris, while coastal erosion forced evacuations on the Central Coast. Conditions are expected to worsen before easing and moving toward New Zealand, where heavy rain and strong winds are forecast for the North Island from Thursday into the weekend.