On January 18, 2025, authorities in eastern Australia declared a natural disaster due to severe storms affecting regions like Sydney and New South Wales. The storms have resulted in heavy rain, lightning, and winds reaching up to 100 kilometers per hour (60 mph), causing significant damage including toppled trees and power outages affecting tens of thousands of residents.
Emergency services have responded to over 7,000 incidents across the state as communities grapple with the aftermath of the storms. The assistance measures activated include emergency accommodation for affected residents, grants for low-income households, and support for local councils to manage cleanup efforts.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister emphasized the importance of the assistance being activated to help communities access essential supplies and begin repairs. NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib highlighted that such disaster declarations are crucial for unlocking necessary support.
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that severe thunderstorms are expected to continue throughout the weekend, with potential for flash flooding and damaging winds across large areas of eastern Australia.