Man dies after being struck by falling tree as storm batters NSW, thousands left without power

A man has died after being struck by a falling tree during an abrupt storm that tore through NSW.

Severe thunderstorms packing damaging winds and large hailstones caused widespread destruction on Wednesday afternoon.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Severe storm batters Sydney without warning.

The 76-year-old was hit by the tree on Glenworth Valley Rd on the Central Coast about 1.20pm.

Paramedics attempted to save him, but he died at the scene.

Blacktown City Council reported a large number of fallen trees across the area including Minchinbury, Huntingwood, Mount Druitt, Arndell Park, Bungarribee, Doonside, Blacktown and Rooty Hill.

Sydney Trains warned commuters that several lines — including the North Shore, Western and Blue Mountains lines — were impacted by power supply issues caused by the storm.

“Please delay travel, consider using other public transport options, or make your own travel arrangements if possible,” the network said on social media.

The Central Coast and Newcastle regions were among the hardest hit, according to Ausgrid.

As of 5pm, about 33,000 households across Sydney and the Newcastle/Hunter Region remained without power as intense storm cells swept through.

Endeavour Energy reported more than 57,000 properties offline, with numbers expected to rise.

Around 4500 homes in Sydney were affected, including suburbs around Hornsby and the Northern Beaches.

Powerlines were brought down in multiple areas and infrastructure was damaged.

“Hardest-hit areas include the state’s Central Coast — suburbs including Erina, Gosford and Mangrove Mountain,” an Ausgrid spokesperson said.

“Ausgrid emergency crews have already restored power to more than 7000 customers and will continue working tonight and over coming days to restore power when safe to do so.”

Wind gusts as strong as 119km/h were recorded at Nobby’s Head about 2.12pm, and 111km/h at Trangie shortly after midday.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said gusts in excess of 90km/h were forecast for Wollongong, Nowra, Canberra, Goulburn, Bowral and Katoomba, with damaging winds expected to ease later on Wednesday evening.

Meanwhile, a heatwave warning is also in place from Wednesday to Saturday for the Mid North Coast, Northern Rivers, Northern Tablelands and Upper Western regions, with temperatures expected to reach the mid-30s to low-40s.

The BOM urged residents to stay cool, particularly older people, babies and young children, pregnant and breastfeeding women and anyone with medical conditions.