Sydney Trains, NSW fire, weather updates: Severe storm cripples rail system, power outages spread across state

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The army in orange has moved into Western Sydney to start assessing and repairing damage during the Wednesday afternoon storms.

“Our unit has been inundated with more than 230 calls for assistance and the number is still rising,” the SES says.

“Severe winds have caused widespread damage across the Blacktown area, bringing down trees onto roads, homes, and powerlines.

“Our dedicated volunteers will be working through the afternoon and into the night to support our community during this wild weather event.”

The boss of Sydney Trains has been doing the rounds of radio stations trying to get the message out as commuters as they walk into a nightmare Wednesday afternoon trip home.

Howard Collins, the Coordinator-General for Transport for NSW, appeared on the ABC and gave an honest appraisal of the situation after wild weather shut down services.

“Fourty four per cent of trains are runningmon time but and there are severe delays on all lines,” Collins said.

Local residents have been advised to do everything they can to avoid a massive fire in Corowa.

“If you are in the Corowa area north of Redlands Road and west of Honour Avenue, your life is at risk. It is too late to leave,” the alert warns.

“Seek shelter now or as the fire approaches, in a solid structure such as a house. Do not be caught in the open in the path of the fire.

“Go inside and protect yourself from the fire front. Actively monitor the situation.

“A safer location may include a well cleared area nearby. Neighbourhood safer places offer a place of last resort if there are no other options.

“If you planned to visit the area or live in the area but are away from home, do not return.”

The RFS have issued a dire warning to Corowa residents as a major fire gathers momentum.

“The fire is impacting on homes and properties north west of the Corowa township, on the border of New South Wales and Victoria,” the statement said.

“The fire is burning in an easterly direction towards Honour Avenue, under westerly winds.

“Embers will be blown long distances ahead of the main fire front starting spot fires, these may impact your home earlier than the main fire front.

“Firefighters and waterbombing aircraft are working in the area to slow the spread of the fire.”

The storm cell that has torn through NSW has now turned deadly after a man was killed by a falling tree on the Central Coast.

The 76-year-old man died after being struck by the tree at a property on Glenworth Valley Road, Glenworth Valley at around 1.30pm.

Emergency services assisted but were unable to revive the man after the incident 2GB news reports confirmed on Wednesday afternoon.

Ausgrid now have at least 35,000 of their customers without power and have issued warnings to their customers to stay safe.

Power lines are down in several areas of Sydney and the Central Coast and crews are respondng to over 1000 calls so far on Wednesday afternoon, with 622 originating in Sydney.

As parts of NSW are copping a hammering from rain, hail and intense winds a second bushfire has blown up in country NSW.

The NSW Rural Fire Service has issued a serious warning for residents in Corowa with a grass fire being pushed on by strong winds.

“There is a grass fire burning in the the vicinity of Whitehead St, Corowa. The fire is burning in a easterly direction under westerly winds towards Honour Ave,” the laert states.

“If you are to the north of Corowa, in the area north of Redlands Rd and west of Honour Ave, you are in danger. Seek shelter now, or as the fire approaches. It is too late to leave.”

Transport NSW have issued a fresh update as various train lines shut down with storms continuing to batter Sydney.

“Trains are not running between Parramatta and Richmond / St Marys, in both directions, due to severe weather causing power supply issues at various locations,” the latest statement said.

“Repair crews are on site and are working to restore train services, however there is no forecast for when train operations will resume.

“Limited trains continue to run between Parramatta and the City; and between St Marys and Penrith / Blue Mountains Line stations. Delay travel, consider using other transport or make your own travel arrangements if possible.

“We expect these delays to continue throughout the afternoon peak and into the evening. We’ll update you when we have more information.”

A mother and her baby have been rescued after a tree fell on a house during a wild storm in Sydney on Wednesday afternoon.

NSW Fire and Rescue boss Adam Dewberry confirmed the “mum and bub” were rescued by emergency services from the house at north St Mary’s after the tree smashed into the property.

A gas leak was also detected but has been contained, Dewberry told 2GB.