Natural disaster declared in storm-stricken New South Wales

Eastern Australia has been declared a natural disaster following severe storms that have caused widespread damage, including power outages affecting tens of thousands of homes. Winds reached up to 100 kph, and over 260,000 properties lost power at the storm's peak. As of Saturday, approximately 30,000 properties remained without electricity, and emergency services have responded to more than 7,000 incidents across New South Wales. Tragically, an elderly man was killed when a tree fell on his car during the storms. The NSW government has activated disaster recovery funding to aid affected communities, offering essential support such as grants for low-income households and cleanup assistance for local councils. Flood warnings remain in effect for several areas, with residents advised to prepare for potential evacuations due to rising water levels.