Ulladulla tornado causes significant damage on NSW South Coast

A rare tornado struck the town of Ulladulla on the New South Wales South Coast on Saturday, October 3, causing significant property damage and disruption. The Bureau of Meteorology recorded wind gusts jumping from 32 km/h to 98 km/h within a four-minute window, though the tornado itself likely produced much stronger, localized winds.

The storm system caused roofs to be torn from homes, trees to fall across roads, and powerlines to be downed. At least two homes were declared uninhabitable. Local businesses, including a waterfront cafe, reported being swept by winds that displaced outdoor furniture and shattered glassware. There were also reports of boats being lifted from their moorings in the harbour.

The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) responded to dozens of calls for assistance, including over 34 incidents specifically in the Ulladulla area. Cleanup efforts are currently underway with assistance from volunteer units from surrounding regions such as Nowra and Batemans Bay. The Bureau of Meteorology noted that while tornadoes occur in Australia, they are rare in densely populated areas.