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More than 800 homes in Sutherland Shire were damaged during a freak hailstorm which hit without warning on April 15, 1999.
Residents had not long finished dinner on a Wednesday night when they heard an incredible roar, and huge hailstones began pelting down.
Roofs, skylights and windows were smashed, allowing water to pour in.
A fisherman, 45, of Guildford, died when lightning struck his runabout, anchored in Dolans Bay.
About 30 motorists were trapped when hailstones clogged Sir Bertram Stevens Drive in the Royal National Park.
Thousands of cars also sustained damage in the storm, which was declared Sydney’s worst, based on the number of calls for help to the State Emergency Service (SES).
SES and Rural Fire Service volunteers furiously fitted tarpaulins, joined later by army tradesmen; many homes were covered for months.
The storm, which originated near Wollongong, hit Maianbar and Bundeena about 7.15pm, before moving on to Lilli Pilli, Cronulla, Woolooware, Caringbah, Yowie Bay and further north.
The streets of Lilli Pilli, the worst affected suburb, ‘‘resembled a war zone’’, the Leader reported.
At Lilli Pilli Public School, roof tiles were smashed, eighteen computers damaged, 38 windows broken and the floors of 10 rooms were under water.
Glenn Townsend, who saw the ceiling of his home cave in, said it sounded ‘‘like there were elephants on the roof’’.
Cade Hyde, 19, said, ‘‘I thought I was being bombed’’.
The aftermath brought out the best and worst in human nature.
Tired SES volunteers were abused by some residents for not responding more quickly.
However, a well known TV character highlighted one of many instances where neighbours rallied to help each other.
Joyce Jacobs, who played the loveable busybody Esme Watson in the TV series A Country Practice, was recovering from knee replacement surgery when her Lilli Pilli home was smashed.
She said neighbours and the emergency services were wonderful.
‘‘We lost the roof, three windows, the glass laundry door and two skylights,and the pergola,’’ she said.
LEADER FLASHBACK
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