BY IAN CROUCH

The Hunter has escaped relatively unscathed from last night’s fierce electrical storm which swept through the region.

Three people were trapped in two cars when power lines came down on their vehicles on Station Street next to Waratah Train Station at about 6.00pm.

They were freed when Railcorp isolated the power about an later.

Around 1200 homes were blacked out at Marks Point and Belmont, while Cooranbong copped the heaviest downpour, with almost 42 millimetres recorded.

The SES responded to 30 calls for assistance across the region, mainly for leaking rooves.

The weather bureau says there’s a chance of another thunderstorm later this afternoon.



Fierce Electrical Storm Lashed Newcastle and The Hunter Picture: newcastlelive.com.au