From 5.30pm, Essential Energy crews responded quickly to the incident on Clarkson Street, removing the tree to commence repairs to the powerline and a damaged power pole. It caused a number of faults on the network, which were progressively fixed. Supply was restored to most customers by around 2.50am.

Weatherzone meteorologist Kim Westcott said Forster Tuncurry’s Marine Rescue recorded winds at 9am at 6km/hour, 3pm at 44km/hour. Taree Airport’s weather station had winds moving 67km/hour at midday. Gusts above 90km/hour are classed as ‘damaging’. Cold, brisk mornings up to eight degrees will continue for the week.