Double Bay experienced chaos overnight as a large candlenut tree fell onto multiple cars on Ocean Avenue, causing significant damage.
The State Emergency Service (SES) responded to over 40 incidents in the city between the evening of 6 January 2025 and the morning of 7 January 2025.
Background and Context
Double Bay, a picturesque suburb in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, faced unexpected challenges due to the recent wild weather. Shortly after midnight on 6 January, a band of cloud brought a cool change, driving rain and thunderstorms across New South Wales (NSW). The storm, driven by a low-pressure trough, caused heavy rainfall and strong winds, impacting central and inland NSW.
The Incident
Emergency services were called to Ocean Avenue in Double Bay shortly after midnight following reports of a tree falling across the road and hitting a car. The road was temporarily blocked as emergency services worked to clear the path. Local resident Matt reported hearing a loud crash around midnight of 6 January and found a huge tree across the street.
Another local resident, Sarah Leven, remarked that the tree might have toppled around the same time. She was woken by the sound of machinery working to remove it.
Gabriella Neuang-keo, whose car was damaged by the fallen tree, posted on social media, stating that the incident might have happened during the night of 6 January and morning of 7 January. She wasn’t sure of the exact time, but the tree was removed in the early hours of 7 January.
Ocean Avenue is a popular parking street, and it was fortunate that more cars were not damaged. No injuries have been reported.
Community Impact
Residents in NSW made 57 calls for assistance to the SES on 6 January 2025, mostly due to trees falling onto power lines, roads, and houses. The incident has raised concerns among residents about the safety of trees in the area. Woollahra officials are investigating the cause of the fallen tree and working to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Storm Overview
Heavy rain and strong winds led to trees toppling across various parts of NSW and Greater Sydney. A spokesperson for SES said teams were working to resolve any remaining incidents, as more storms are anticipated to smash through the state.
Rainfall totals were not extreme, with Sydney recording 13mm of rain, but the fast-moving thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are expected to continue throughout the week, potentially bringing damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and hail to the region.
Current Weather
Sydney is currently experiencing cloudy skies and a high chance of showers. The weather forecast predicts that showers will continue, with possible thunderstorms in the coming days.
Next Steps
As the SES continues to respond to incidents, residents should remain vigilant and report any fallen trees or hazards to local authorities. City officials are also considering ways to improve tree care and safety in the area.
The storm in Double Bay has highlighted the importance of being prepared and raising community awareness during severe weather events. While the SES and local authorities work to mitigate the immediate effects, residents are reminded to stay safe and report any problems as soon as possible.
Published 9-Jan-2025
