Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury area.

Issued at 1:27 pm Thursday, 30 September 2021.

Severe thunderstorm tracking southeast towards Blackheath and Katoomba

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 1:30 pm, severe thunderstorms were detected on the weather radar near the Lithgow district and the Oberon district. These thunderstorms are moving towards the southeast. They are forecast to affect Blackheath and Katoomba by 2:00 pm and Hazelbrook, the Jamison Valley and the Blue Mountains south of Hazelbrook by 2:30 pm.

Damaging winds and large hailstones are likely.

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 at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
* Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.
* 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.