Parts of southern New South Wales ravaged by a violent storm have been declared a natural disaster zone by Emergency Services Minister Steve Whan.
The area includes the Illawarra and Wollongong, the Shoalhaven on the south coast, the far south coast and Riverina.
Mr Whan says the State Government will monitor reports of damage in the coming days and extend the declaration if necessary.
The declaration triggers a range of assistance for communities affected by Sunday’s storm, including primary producers.
The SES was responding to 800 outstanding calls for help in the Illawarra and on the NSW south coast today, after gusts of up to 120 kilometres per hour ripped through coastal towns and villages.
The remaining jobs relate to fallen trees and roof damage in the southern Shoalhaven area.
SES regional controller Peter Higgins says extra crews have been called in to help but there is still a lot of work to be done.
“We just ask the community to remain patient,” he said.
Integral Energy says 100,000 customers lost power during the storm and 9,000 homes and businesses remain without electricity.
It could take two days to restore power to some areas.
Shoalhaven Water is using back-up generators to pump sewage.
Many Telstra customers remain without fixed-line telephone services.
