Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Mid North Coast and parts of Hunter, North West Slopes and Plains and Northern Tablelands Forecast Districts.

Issued at 7:58 pm Wednesday, 16 October 2019.

Weather Situation:
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds over the next several hours in the Mid North Coast and parts of the Hunter, North West Slopes and Plains and Northern Tablelands districts. Locations which may be affected include Port Macquarie, Taree, Armidale, Bulahdelah, Wingham, Yarrowitch, Guyra, Walcha, Uralla, Tingha, Bundarra and Bendemeer.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones and damaging winds over the next several hours in parts of the Mid North Coast district. Locations which may be affected include Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Woolgoolga, Sawtell, Urunga, Bellingen, Dorrigo, Glenreagh, Nambucca Heads and Macksville.

98km/h wind gust at Gunnedah around 4:30pm

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.