NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) volunteers will be busy over the next few days responding to damage caused by a supercell storm that tore through parts of the Coffs Harbour region on the NSW North Coast.
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On Wednesday (October 20), the areas of Toormina, Boambee East and Sawtell - which are to the south of Coffs Harbour - were hit by a huge volume of hail, heavy rain, and strong winds.
NSW SES Assistant Commissioner, Dean Storey, said the supercell caused extensive damage to properties right across the area.
Widespread hail centimetres deep on the ground blanketed the region while a shopping centre roof in Toormina collapsed.
It follows weeks of storm activity across parts of NSW, ACT and Victoria, including several damaging tornadoes.
Last week, a tornado ripped through parts of Armidale causing widespread damage.
"We have received more than 830 requests for assistance since the storm hit, and that is expected to keep climbing," Mr Storey said.
"The vast majority of the requests we have received have been for damaged and leaking roofs.
"The storm also caused extensive damage to the Toormina Shopping Centre, and damage to a number of nursing homes in the area.
"Our volunteers will be on the ground today (Thursday 21 October) supporting the community and will be working as quickly as possible with support from our emergency services partners," he said.
Mr Storey said as NSW is in storm season, there is an increased chance of storms and events such as this one continuing to happen right through to March next year.
"Storms can happen at any time and they don't discriminate," Mr Storey said.
"We are only a few weeks into storm season, and we have already seen what it can bring.
"That is why it is important communities right across NSW are aware of their risks and are prepared.
"If anyone needs assistance in preparing for potential storms, I encourage you to visit our website ses.nsw.gov.au," he said.
Meanwhile, parts of Queensland and the NSW north coast are bracing for another day of heavy rainfall and storm activity following this week's record-breaking wild weather.
Tennis ball sized hail measuring 16cm fell near Mackay, breaking the previously set Australian record by two centimetres. The previous record was set last October in south-east Queensland.
It is still a farcry from the world's record though, which was set in South Dakota in July 2010 when 20.3cm hail fell over parts of the city.
