Australia Weather News

Four people have been saved from a flipped demountable building and thousands are without power as severe thunderstorms pass across New South Wales and the ACT.

The Bureau of Meteorology says very dangerous thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging, locally destructive winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours.

Much of south-eastern NSW is expected to be impacted, including the South West Slopes, Snowy Mountains, ACT and Southern Tablelands districts.

Emergency services in Canberra have already been inundated with calls for assistance.

Meanwhile, severe thunderstorms with damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rain are predicted across those districts, as well as the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast, Metropolitan, Central Tablelands, Central West Ploes and Plains, Northern Tablelands and Riverina.

Wind gusts of 106kph were recorded at Wagga Wagga just after 2pm today, and 113kph at Cabrumurra just before 3:30pm.

In Wagga Wagga and surrounding towns, more than 10,000 people have lost power.

In a text message sent to affected customers, Essential Energy said there had been "significant damage" to the electricity network.

"Our crews are working as quickly and safely as possible to restore power."

Four saved from building flip

Ambulance NSW acting Riverina duty operations manager Amy Barclay said paramedics responded to a call in the Wagga Wagga suburb of Bomen where four people had become trapped in a demountable building after it flipped in strong wind gusts.

"All four patients have relatively minor injuries, just with some bruises, some lacerations and some sore limbs," she said.

"They responded quite well … They had verbal communication even when we couldn't see them initially."

Ms Barclay said they were lucky the injuries were not serious.

"I think they were very happy when they got out," she said.

The State Emergency Service (SES) said it had so far responded to more than 130 incidents across the state.

Southern Zone Duty Commander Shane Hargrave said people and properties had been impacted.

"Trees on cars and also some demountable buildings that have been moved due to the strength of the wind," he said.

Mr Hargrave said even though the worst part of the storm had passed, people needed to remain careful.

"Please use caution when you are out on the roads," he said.

"Please wait if you are stuck, please make those phone calls.

"We do urge the community to please prepare your properties, tie down those loose items and clean gutters before any of these storms come through."

Wagga Wagga local Stephanie Day said the wind had caused significant damage to her mother's garden.

"She's lost her chook house and her bird aviary. Thankfully no feathered friends were inhabiting it at the time," she said.

"It's been a crazy, windy whirlwind that's come through there."

Heavy rain, flash flooding, hail and damaging winds are expected to continue through to Thursday across much of the state.