Arabic version: إعصار يدمّر منازل وأعمالاً تجارية في أولادولا

According to ABC News, a tornado tore through parts of Ulladulla on New South Wales’ south coast on Saturday, causing significant damage. The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed that a tornado moved through the area and described the event as “very unusual”.

Just after 1pm, the region was issued a severe thunderstorm warning for damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall. Vision showed a rotating column of air crossing a residential area. Footage outside a local cafe showed staff moving tables and chairs before heavy rain and strong winds swept through, sending umbrellas into the harbour.

Cafe owner Julius Machado said the sky darkened at about 1pm before conditions changed “in a blink of an eye”. He said customers who had been sitting outside for coffee and lunch rushed indoors as a strong wind swept through. Mr Machado said the event lasted only a couple of minutes, but glasses and plates were broken and the cafe closed early for cleaning.

The NSW State Emergency Service said it had received more than 90 calls for help across the state, including 29 around Ulladulla. Crews were responding to roofs ripped from homes, dislodged tiles and skylights, fallen trees and powerlines. Dozens of properties were affected by power outages, while an incident management team was established in Ulladulla. The SES expected requests for assistance to rise as severe thunderstorms were forecast to continue into the evening.