Rockdale was close to having a White Christmas in 1979 when a violent storm blanketed the area with hailstones.
The storm, which hit early on Monday, November 26, with gale force winds, stripped trees, caused roads to flood and water to enter homes and shops.
Power was cut to many premises.
Rockdale, Bexley and Kingsgrove were among the worst hit suburbs.
Hail was up to 40cm deep in the Rockdale shopping centre.
At the height of the storm, a man was killed in a car crash at Clempton Park and several other people were injured in other road accidents.
The storm, with winds gusting up to 150 km/h, also damaged aircraft at Bankstown Airport,.
FLASHBACK FRIDAY
Every Friday we delve into the Leader archives to embark on some time travel.
We will bring you photographs of a news event from 57 years of Leader news coverage that you may or may not recall.
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