Thousands without power as storms hit NSW - ABC News

Wild storms have cut power to more than 30,000 homes in the New England and Mid-North Coast regions of New South Wales.

The storm cells swept up the state's coast from Sydney, with Tamworth, Barraba, Inverell and Walgett among the hardest hit centres.

David Crough, from Essential Energy, says crews have been called in to restore power across a large area.

"Most people would have seen it across the New England North West area, storms have ripped right across," he said.

"At the moment we have around 32,000 customers without power and we've got a lot of wires down due to trees and obviously lightning strikes.

"We've got some safety equipment that's activated because of the lightning and the general storms as well."

The State Emergency Service (SES) says it has attended nearly 70 call-outs in the Tamworth and Gunnedah districts following the storms.

Namoi SES region controller, Andrew Galvin, says it is remarkable no one has been seriously injured.

He says his crews are working closely with electricity companies to remove trees and deal with minor flash flooding.

"We've had call-outs, requests for assistance, from 68 people. Had a lot of trees down on cars and on houses and, very fortunately, no reports of injuries at this stage," Mr Galvin said.

"In Gunnedah, we had very heavy rainfall in a short period and a little bit of flash flooding there."

The Bureau of Meteorology says the immediate threat of severe thunderstorms has passed.

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