An electric potion of ground heat and cloud moisture mixed to an impressive climax yesterday (Monday December 5) with an storm involving 22,000 lightning strikes either on or above the Great Lakes to Manning region.

From late afternoon until evening, Weatherzone’s meteorologist Rob Sharpe said the storm threw 3,000 lightning strikes which touched down on land within a radius of 50km around Coolongolook. 

“That’s quite a lot of lightning, but it’s not as bad as it gets,” Mr Sharpe said.

The storm, which rolled up the coastline from Sydney, brought with it strong winds, bringing down wires and vegetation in to lines. Rainfall was eratic, with Forster recording 7mm, Nabiac 31mm, Markwell 14mm, Taree 10mm (airport), Mt George 14mm, and Port Macquarie 30mm. One man was killed in the state’s north at Mount Warning and a woman injured after being hit by lightning while camping at Mount Warning.

A spokesperson for the SES said Forster and Tuncurry mostly escaped damage but the region around Moto further north near Coopernook sustained the most damage with six trees down, power lines across roads and a couple of houses with roofs taken off.

More than 14,000 customers between the Upper Hunter and Mid North Coast were without power last night but overnight Essential Energy crews restored power to more than 10,000 customers, with teams back out at first light this morning (Tuesday) to continue with repairs and patrols of the network. A direct lightning strike to the network in Cundletown turned the power off to almost 1,000 customers.

As well as a number of residents scattered south of Taree, almost 3,000 customers remain without power in the Pacific Palms, Coomba Park and Smiths Lake areas due to extensive damage along the line feeding power to these areas. Crews are in the process of replacing a power pole along the line with on foot patrols currently taking place.  A helicopter flew the length of the line this morning to allow crews a birds-eye view of the network and to pinpoint any further potential hazards that may affect supply. A second pole is being replaced on the line and more will be known around 1pm.

Customers in the Rollands Plains, Comboyne and Kings Creek areas should have their power back on this afternoon.

As at 11am, 5,600 customers remained without power along the mid and north coast. 

Residents are reminded to stay at least eight metres away from fallen powerlines. Call Essential Energy on 13 20 80 for further information, or visit their Facebook or twitter page.