Australia Weather News

When his windows "exploded" Michael Campbell knew his tiny western NSW town was caught in a wild outback tempest like few residents had experienced.

As Carinda, population about 100, cleans up after Sunday's violent storm, locals are gathering to swap tales, source supplies and, for some, find somewhere to sleep.

Mr Campbell's verandah was picked up and flipped over the roof of his house.

"I bought the house as a bit of a project, but now it'll be a bit more extensive for me to do it," he said.

Residents told the ABC that the storm that hit the tiny town near Walgett was terrifying and that it sounded like a freight train arriving.

"The windows sort of exploded out, all the glass was pushed out instead of being in," Mr Campbell said.

"I've had a lot of thunderstorms. I've lived in a lot of different places with pretty severe storms, but nothing quite like that."

Another resident, Bill Tanner, is sleeping in a bus lent to him by his neighbours after part of the roof was blown off his house.

"The publican brought the bus down this afternoon and he's not using it," Mr Tanner said.

Mr Tanner will be sleeping in the bus for now.

Power and telecommunications are slowly being restored.

Early assessments by the State Emergency Service show at least 12 properties are uninhabitable.

Multiple commercial buildings were damaged, including the town's pub, pizza restaurant and general store.

The NSW SES said it was working with the NSW Telco Authority and electricity providers to restore services.

Essential Energy says homes would be without power until about 6PM today, although some properties are being powered by generators.

Community under pressure

The Carinda Hotel, made famous for being the site of David Bowie's Let's Dance music video, has been the headquarters for the town's recovery effort, despite losing part of its roof in the storm.

Walgett Shire Mayor Jason Ramien said generators, fuel, food and water had been brought into the town and locals had banded together to help each other.

"They're a tight-knit community so they don't want to leave," Mr Ramien said.

"People that have got houses with minimal damage will take some neighbours in, and they're setting up a couple of shelters in the hotel.

"They'll be fine here, they'll get through it."

Mr Ramien said while the clean up operation would be slow.

"There's a lot of handwork involved because there is tin and small bits of debris right through town," he said.

"It's not like you can just come in with a big machine and pick it all up.

"There's going to be a lot of physical work involved."

Disaster declaration incoming

NSW Member of Barwon Roy Butler MP said conversations were underway to declare the event a disaster to unlock federal emergency payments to Carinda residents.

Even with the disaster support, Mr Butler said the government would need to do more to help get the community back on its feet.

"There are a lot of people around Carinda who don't have insurance or are underinsured," he said.

"So in terms of damage to their property, a lot of them aren't going to be able to afford those repairs.

"I've flagged that with government, that we're going to have to do something to help those people stay in their homes."

For now, the locals are fairly laid-back about their situation. The pub's generator has been keeping the beers cold on tap while neighbours check in and begin the long process of recovery.