Thunderstorm cause commuter delays and local flooding

services were suspended between Gosford & Fassifern due to lightning strikes damaging signalling equipment

A severe thunderstorm hit the region late Friday afternoon, stopping trains and slowing traffic along the M1 and local roads.

NSW TrainLink North reported at 5.45pm  that services were suspended between Gosford & Fassifern due to lightning strikes damaging signalling equipment.

The local SES reported some flash flooding north of Gosford when the sky opened up. Residents were warned not to drive through floodwaters and avoid any fallen powerlines or trees. SES teams being deployed to attend to 6 storm jobs. Area from Pearl beach to Wyoming.

Power was cut to many thousands of homes, crews are working to restore power to about 40,000 customers. You can see updates at