A flash storm at Phegans Bay earlier this month left the community rocked after a 20-metre-high tree fell down across the street just minutes before residents returned home.
The tall red-gum tree came down at the east end of Olive Ave at approximately 4.30pm on Monday, January 4, demolishing the front brick wall fence of a house, and damaging its roof and a car parked in the driveway.
Neighbour Noel Plummer said he witnessed the tree fall down across the street onto the house.
“The wind gust that blew it over only lasted a few seconds but was incredibly strong and very, very scary,” Plummer said.
“The wind was just horrendous.
“It took down the power line on its way down and cut the power.
“The tree was at least 40 years old and is about the seventh large tree to come down in the easterly section of Olive Ave in recent years.”
Emergency service crews from NSW Fire and Rescue and Central Coast Council arrived on scene by 4.50pm and by 9.30pm, the tree had been cut up into small pieces and the road re-opened.
By noon the following day, power had been restored to the surrounding houses.
Maisy Rae