Sydney storms: Residents left cleaning up after five-minute 'cyclone'
Sydney is mopping up the mess of a five-minute snap storm which left a trail of destruction across the city.
The Upper North Shore bore the brunt of the damage, with trees collapsing roofs and bringing down powerlines.
"We've got lots of trees on properties and we also have lots of trees caught up in electricity lines," said Andrew Turner from the SES.
Those hazards have seen a flood of almost 2000 calls for help to the SES since the storm hit just after 1pm yesterday.
Residents in Belrose say when the storm hit, there was so much force, it sounded cyclonic.
"This huge gust of wind came through. Absolutely incredible. It sounded like a cyclone," Ivan Porfini said.
The storm felled powerlines and trees across Sydney. Ausgrid
It was those winds that brought trees crashing down on Daryl Meppem's son.
He says the university student was trapped in his car for up to 40 minutes before getting help.
"I couldn't get through to triple zero because the storm had decimated the area," he said.
Today, residents are assessing the damage, including a number of cars crushed by falling branches.
Sarah Jenkins' red Audi was parked on Powell Street in Killara when the storm hit, the car now written of after being flattened by an uprooted tree.
"I don't think it'll see the light of day again," she said.
Rural Fire Service officers joined the clean-up crews, assisting in the removal of trees from backyards.
Severe wind gusts have downed trees across Sydney during the intense storm. AAP
"Our biggest worry is power at the moment. How long that's going to be out… we have no idea," said Deputy Commander, Cameron Gibson.
"It'll be weeks of cleaning up".
Gordon Residents, Chris and Cyndie Bowen came home to a backyard of devastation, a century old gum crashing into their bedroom.
"There is a 40 metre Sydney blue gum which has affectively snapped in half and landed on the back of the house," said Chris.
"Our master bedrood is crushed basically. That is the only way I can explain it."
About 29,000 businesses and homes remain without power, told to brace for another night in the dark, with electricity unable to be restored until Thursday at the earliest.
A number of schools, including Ravenswood, Karonga Public School and Lindfield East Public School, were also forced to shutdown for the day, after electricity was cut to the buildings.
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