In a freak weather event a powerful flash storm tore through most areas of the Northern Beaches on Sunday December 19, 2021. The rain was so heavy that visibility was quickly limited, and the wind was so powerful that trees were snapped at the trunk and roofs were ripped from buildings. Many described it as a tornado and the incredible image featured above from Northern Beaches Living member, Lisa Raicevich certainly seems to prove it.
Kylie Anderson posted this video of tornado like weather whipping through Dee Why Beach: https://www.facebook.com/kyliea3/videos/2829921327299430
And the horrific moment where metal roofing was flung several storeys below to Pittwater Rd, Dee Why, narrowly missing several people and landing between two parked cars was captured by Northern Beaches Living member Florian Dusanter, and can be viewed here: https://www.facebook.com/100000685852955/videos/1598483823825488/
Rachael Leah Jackson posted this image below of the result:
Sadly, it was confirmed that a woman in her 70s was killed at Narrabeen by a large falling tree, which also hospitalised several other people and took out power lines.
The damage across Dee Why, Narrabeen and Cromer was extensive with images flooding the Northern Beaches Living Group of trees that had landed on cars, and even a couple of trampolines that had been blown out of people’s yards and into other backyards – or the ocean. Power was lost in many areas as well.
The Wakehurst Parkway was also quickly affected, with trees and broken branches blocking the road. It was members of the community who worked together to clear a path.
As local residents attempted to deal with what one described as ”absolute carnage” and police urged everyone to stay at home whilst the SES tried to attend to the hundreds of call outs, a warning came through that a second storm was due to hit at 7pm. Thankfully this one passed over quite quickly though and without further damage.
Northern Beaches Council has since reported, that due to damage:
