UPDATE: Three people struck by lightning in wild Sydney storm

Three people have been struck by lightning during the wild electrical storm that pummelled Sydney this afternoon.

They were hit in separate incidents at Casula, Holsworthy and Wetherill Park, and although two people were taken to hospital, their injuries are not considered life threatening.

Just 24 hours after Richmond recorded its hottest November day in 75 years, the western Sydney suburb endured the brunt of today’s weather.

Do you have pictures of the storm and the damage it caused? 9News would love to see them. Send your pics to contact@9news.com.au 

The storm cell rolled in from Central Tablelands, bring heavy rain and wind gusts of up 98km/h.

Large trees were uprooted including one at Doonside which flattened several cars and a child’s cubby house.

About 17ml of rain fell in the Blue Mountains while 10ml fell in as many minutes in Sydney’s CBD.

There were at least 3000 lightning strikes across Sydney, wiping out power to at least 14,500 homes from the Hawkesbury all the way out to Appin.

Technicians from Aus Grid and Integral Energy scrambled to reconnect the power and by 6pm, it has been restored to 5000 homes.

The storm is now tracking south-east, with heavy rain falling over the ocean on the south coast.

A separate storm cell is menacing parts of the Riverina, down the New South Wales border and into Victoria.

In extreme weather the State Emergency Service advises that people should:

* Move your car undercover or away from trees.

* Secure or store loose items around your house, yard and balcony.

* Keep clear of fallen power lines.

* Unplug computers and appliances.

* Avoid using the phone during the storm.

* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.

* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.