NSW bomb cyclone weather updates live: Sydney, Hunter region, South Coast hit hard as heavy rain causes chaos

As well as power outages, more than a thousand properties in the Hunter Valley, Central Coast, Illawarra and South Coast regions are also without internet coverage.

The National Broadband Network shared an update this morning, listing locations where 1,012 NBN services have been disrupted by power outages from wild weather.

Impacted areas include:

• Ellalong
• Berrara
• Wyong Ceek
• North Nowra
• Sanctuary Point
• Dolphin Point
• Illawarra
• NSW South Coast

There is currently no estimate for when services will be restored, but impacted residents will be shared on nbnco.com.au.au at 12.30pm today.

The SES has released new images showing the severity of the destruction caused by the “bomb cyclone” that lashed across NSW overnight.

The emergency service has responded to over 1,860 incidents in the past 24 hours, with the majority taking place in the Hunter, Sydney Metro, Illawarra and South Coast.

NSW SES has responded to over 1,860 incidents in the past 24 hours, with the majority taking place in the Hunter, Sydney Metro, Illawarra and South Coast regions.

In a fresh statement, the SES has put Sydney and the South Coast on alert for flooding.

“Flash flooding remains a key concern from Sydney to the South Coast today. When traveling about, please stay alert for flash flooding over roads and never drive through floodwater — it’s dangerous and unpredictable.

“As you head out this morning, please avoid damaged buildings, fallen trees and downed powerlines. Rain and strong winds are expected to continue today (Wednesday 2 July), before easing from Thursday as the system moves into the Tasman Sea.”

Photos are starting to emerge of the damage from the wild weather that lashed parts of NSW overnight.

Travel disruptions are worsening, with dozens of domestic and international arrivals and departures impacted as a result of the wild weather.

According to Flight Radar, at least 87 flights have been cancelled from Sydney Airport, with more expected as the conditions worsen throughout the day.

The airport is now operating under a Level 4 “significant” delay status.

“Sydney Airport is working closely with airlines and Airservices Australia to manage the impact of these challenging conditions and we thank everyone for their patience and understanding,” a spokesperson told the ABC.

The cancellations come after winds reached 72km/h at Sydney Airport on Wednesday morning.

Millions of Australians have been told to stay home and avoid public transport as the destructive low-pressure system dubbed the “bomb cyclone” rapidly intensified on Wednesday morning.

In a fresh update, Sydney Trains strongly advised that “train passengers should avoid non-essential travel across the rail network,” with service alerts issued on eight of the nine major train lines.

“Due to fallen trees, trains on some routes have been cancelled,” the statement read.

“Motorists across Eastern NSW are being urged to prepare for delays and disruptions, as extreme weather is set to lash the region today and into the coming days.

“Transport for NSW is warning that damaging to locally destructive winds, heavy rainfall, and hazardous surf conditions will impact key coastal areas from the Mid North Coast down to the South Coast, including the Hunter, Central Coast, Sydney, and Illawarra.

“If you must travel, please allow plenty of extra travel to get to your destination. Be prepared for disruptions, including possible road closures and public transport delays.”

Read the full story here.

Travel disruptions are mounting as the NSW bomb cyclone intensifies, with 15 flights cancelled after winds hit 72km/h at Sydney Airport on Wednesday morning.

Severe weather has forced the airport to operate with only one runway, resulting in the cancellation of eight Sydney-bound arrivals and seven Brisbane-to-Sydney departures.

Authorities are advising travellers to stay alert, with further delays and cancellations expected throughout the day.

Nearly 30 beachside homes on the Central Coast were forced to evacuate overnight as a result of threatening winds and dangerous surf.

Some residents fear they could lose their homes as the ocean edges closer to their doorsteps.

The streets currently impacted are Hutton Road in North Entrance and Ocean View Drive in Wamberal.

As heavy rain lashed down across NSW overnight, more than 29,400 homes are without power.

In the Hunter Valley and Greater Sydney region, Ausgrid reports 10,382 customers are facing unplanned outages caused by fallen trees and downed power lines.

In the Illawarra, 16,904 Endeavour Energy customers are waking to widespread blackouts.

Essential Energy, which services the rest of the state, has reported 2,141 homes without power this morning.

Given the scale of the outages, energy providers are offering only rough estimates on when crews can safely restore power.

NSW residents have been told to expect major public transport delays and cancellations as wild weather continues to batter the state.

“Train passengers should avoid non-essential travel across the rail network (on Wednesday) after today’s wild weather disrupted services and caused damage to infrastructure,” the agency said in a statement on late Tuesday evening.

“There were several weather-related service impacts throughout today, with the Central Coast and Newcastle line worst hit after trees fell on overhead wiring in two locations.”

The first incident happened at Dora Creek, with high voltage electrical wires coming to rest on top of a passenger and freight train. No one was injured and the 60 passengers on the Newcastle bound service were safely transferred to a replacement bus.