Terrifying ordeal for Caringbah South family when huge tree falls on home

Allie was alone with three-months-old Zahli in the family's home in Willarong Road, Caringbah South, when ferocious winds and big hailstones hit about 4.40pm on Monday.

"It was terrifying," she said.

"I was in the front room at first, but I went to a back room and picked up Zahli because she was really frightened.

"Suddenly, there was a huge crack and the tree came crashing through the window of the front room where I had been sitting."

Allie called her mother's mobile phone only to find she was trapped in her car by tree branches in the driveway of their home.

"I was nearly home when the storm hit and so I drove in and intended staying in the car until the worst was over," Tracey said.

"Then the tree came down on the car and house. The windscreen smashed and hailstones and bits of roof tiles came flying in."

The women called 000 and were told help would come quickly and to stay where they were because of the risk of fallen power lines.

However, when a neighbour came to Tracey's aid, she decided to leave the car.

"He stepped over power lines to get to the car and remove branches so I could get out, and then showed me where to step to safely get out to the street," she said.

"When the fire brigade arrived, they used a machine to test the wires and told us they were live.

"I realise in hindsight it was probably stupid of me to leave the car."

An ambulance paramedic arrived soon after and escorted Allie to safety.

"We were very lucky," Tracey said.

"Things were bad, but they could have been a lot worse.

"The damage to the house is not as extensive as we thought and we may be able to move back in within a few days."

Tracey and her husband Garry said they they often complained about the tree, but never applied to the council for its removal.

They said the tree appeared to be in good health and believe it was just the tremendous force of the wind that brought it down.