There has been a severe thunderstorm warning issued by the Bureau of Meteorology this afternoon with hail and heavy rainfall forecast for Tamworth, Armidale and Moree.
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The bureau has warned that severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones, heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and damaging winds in the warning area over the next several hours.
Locations which may be affected include Port Macquarie, Taree, Newcastle, Gosford, Katoomba, Sydney, Wollongong, Nowra, Armidale, Orange, Goulburn, Tamworth, Moree and Dubbo.
The Bureau has reported extreme weather conditions from around Australia this afternoon.
Coonabarabran recorded winds of 36 knots this afternoon, gusting to 57 knots at 1.30pm.
Dungog Post Office received 40.4mm of rain in a 30 minute downpour just before 2pm.
Storm Spotter reported about golf ball sized hail near Mount Vic and torrential rain at 2.20pm.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
* Keep clear of fallen power lines.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.
* If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
* Unplug computers and appliances.
* Avoid using the phone during the storm.
* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.