<P> Throughout summer 2011--2012 Sydney experienced above average rainfall, with many cases of flash flooding, and rivers breaking their banks due to sustained rain periods . On 8 March one of the more widespread flash flooding events occurred disrupting the daily commute, by flooding train stations, and arterial roads . </P> <P> From 20 April to 22 April 2015, the Hunter, Central Coast and Sydney regions experienced severe rain fall and' cyclonic winds' gusting from 100 to 135 kilometres per hour (62 to 84 mph) from an east coast low resulting in many cases of flash flooding, and rivers breaking their banks due to sustained rain periods . Over the course of the three days the Hunter, Central Coast and Newcastle and South Coast railway lines were closed at some point . Over 80 Department of Education and Communities (DEC) schools were closed across NSW on both 21 April and 22 April due to safety concerns . The Newcastle and Hunter regions were hit worst by the storm and four people were killed in flash flooding, including three people in the Hunter township of Dungog . Between 100,000 and 200,000 homes and businesses were without power at some point during the three days . </P> <P> On 16 December a storm described as a tornado struck the east coast, with high rainfall, hailstones and unusually strong winds . Kurnell in southern Sydney was particularly hard hit with homes and businesses un-roofed, sewerage and electricity cut, two trucks tipped on their sides, and workers evacuated from Kurnell Refinery and the desalination plant, which was damaged . A "Wind gust of 213 kilometres per hour (132 mph) recorded in Kurnell at 10: 33am," was "the fastest wind speed recorded in NSW history". Injuries to people were only minor . Roof damage also occurred at Westfield Bondi Junction and in South Nowra, Thousands of homes lost power in Bulli, Thirroul and Woonona north of Wollongong . </P> <P> The Hunter, Central Coast, Sydney, Illawarra, South Coast, Southern Tablelands and Snowy Mountains regions were impacted by severe rainfall between 4 January and 6 January 2016 . Peak rainfall over 24 hours included 255 millimetres (10.0 in) near Bulahdelah, including 80 millimetres (3.1 in) in one hour, 246 millimetres (9.7 in) at Newcastle, 239 millimetres (9.4 in) at Barrington Tops, 219 millimetres (8.6 in) at Williamtown, and more than 200 millimetres (7.9 in) near Moruya . Due to flooding of the Hunter River, the State Emergency Service issued an evacuation order for parts of Raymond Terrace . </P>

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