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Severe Storms Claim Woman's Life as Flash Floods Hit NSW

1/17/2026

23 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

A woman died when a tree branch fell on her car during severe storms in New South Wales on January 17, 2026, at Macquarie Pass south of Wollongong.
Her male passenger sustained minor injuries, and two rear-seat passengers were unharmed.
Emergency services have received hundreds of calls as storms caused flash flooding north and south of Sydney, with Avalon at 62.5 mm and Ettalong at 93.5 mm within an hour.

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Story summary

A woman died when a tree branch fell on her car during severe storms in New South Wales on January 17, 2026, at Macquarie Pass south of Wollongong.
Her male passenger sustained minor injuries, and two rear-seat passengers were unharmed.
Emergency services have received hundreds of calls as storms caused flash flooding north and south of Sydney, with Avalon at 62.5 mm and Ettalong at 93.5 mm within an hour.