A tornado has caused significant damage in Ulladulla, rendering numerous homes unlivable. The local State Emergency Service (SES) has been actively responding to the aftermath of the tornado for the past 24 hours.
The tornado struck the central business district of Ulladulla on Saturday, producing wind gusts that reached 98 kilometers per hour around 1 PM. According to the SES, the tornado affected 15 properties, with over seven experiencing severe damage. Two homes were classified as uninhabitable, forcing the occupants to seek shelter with friends and family.
Tracy Provest, the Deputy Incident Commander for the SES, described the impact of the tornado as “devastating.” She noted that many homes suffered extensive damage, with some losing walls, roofs, and roofing tiles scattered across the street. Additionally, numerous trees were uprooted, some of which fell onto houses and vehicles.
Remarkably, no injuries were reported. Provest relayed a story of a woman who was across the street purchasing fish and chips when a tree fell onto her car. She expressed her gratitude for not being inside the vehicle at the time.
Provest mentioned that such events are uncommon in the area. “I have been here since 2003, and for many locals, this is certainly a first,” she remarked. She recounted an incident where a small boat on a trailer was flipped off by the tornado, damaging the trailer and the car it was parked next to.
The SES received a total of 34 requests for assistance in Ulladulla, with most cases addressed by Sunday afternoon, aided by crews from as far as Yass. Statewide, the SES handled 438 calls for help within the same 24-hour timeframe. Ulladulla also recorded 24 millimeters of rainfall between 9 AM Saturday and 9 AM Sunday.
Local resident Brad Collins was in the area with his father when he witnessed the tornado forming. He captured the event on his smartphone, describing the experience as both “surreal” and “crazy,” as they watched debris fly through the air. After the tornado passed, they saw numerous homes with missing roofs and a vehicle that had been crushed by a fallen tree.
Surveillance footage from a nearby cafe illustrated the intensity of the storm, showing heavy rain and strong winds that violently tossed umbrellas into the harbour and swept chairs and tables off the balcony.
The Bureau of Meteorology characterized the tornado as “sub-severe,” noting that such occurrences are relatively rare along the New South Wales coast. Meteorologist Tristan Sumarna acknowledged that, despite its classification, the tornado still produced significant impacts.
Provest commended the local community’s response, highlighting the collaboration with Shoalhaven Council and NSW Police to manage traffic and assist with road clearances. Numerous volunteers also participated in the cleanup efforts.
Meanwhile, in Wollongong, approximately two hours north, the Yours and Owls Festival at Flagstaff Hill experienced a temporary halt due to the storm on Saturday evening. Attendees were advised to take shelter under tents for about 20 minutes. Despite the interruption, festival-goers like Victoria Schuck made the most of the situation, engaging in a sing-along while waiting for the show to resume. “It added to the experience; it gives you a good story to tell and was a lot of fun,” she shared.
