Newcastle was in the firing line for some of the worst of the storm, with large hail stones raining down over the city’s centre and suburbs including Merewether, The Junction, Bar Beach and Cooks Hill.

“Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours,” the Bureau of Meteorology warned residents in the Newcastle area.

Around 2100 homes have lost power in Newcastle as a result of the storm.

“We have no power, no lights, no internet no nothing. Can‘t even wash our lunch dishes because I can’t see,” one resident said on social media.

Residents have been shocked by the ferocity of the storm.

“Never experienced anything like this,” Newcastle local David Diehm said.

“The hail is relentless!”

Some reported hailstones with a 3cm diameter.

The storm has now passed through the Newcastle area and is heading north through Port Macquarie and the Hunter Coast.

The BOM has issued a general storm warning for these areas.

According to Ausgrid, power is expected to return to homes in the next few hours.

More to come.