A massive storm has swept through Mudgee, with winds in excess of 100 km/h uprooting trees, bringing down power lines and damaging property and cars.
Around 8000 homes are without power in the region after the storm battered the town just before 4pm on Wednesday.
One resident said the ferocious storm "came out of nowhere" and wreaked significant devastation in around seven minutes before the wind suddenly stopped.
The Bureau of Meteorology recorded wind gusts of 130km/h in the town at 4pm.
A lightning strike from the storm is thought to have sparked a fire at Stubbo, around 40 kilometres north of Mudgee.
The fire remained out of control on Wednesday night and was impacting on rural properties near Rissler Road, the NSW Rural Fire Service said.
In a major fire update, the RFS said conditions were "challenging", with "hot, dry and windy conditions being experienced across the fireground".
Rebecca Seis, from Gulgong, lost part of her vegetable garden to the fire, which left the ground on her property blackened and several trees smouldering.
The State Emergency Service responded to 30 jobs around Mudgee after the severe storm.
Trees fell on cars and roofs, including the roof of the BP Service Station, the SES said.
Video posted by the Mudgee Guardian showed the moment one large tree snapped, toppling sideways onto a van, as it was battered by strong winds.
Essential Energy said the storm had significantly damaged the electricity network, with numerous snapped power poles.
"Additional crews and equipment are being brought in to assist Mudgee-based crews restore power to customers," the energy company said in a statement.
"Crews are working as quickly as safety allows but given the amount of damage there is currently no estimated restoration times. Please remember to stay at least 8 metres away from fallen powerlines or anything touching them."
Photos from around the town showed large trees uprooted, bringing large chunks of soil with them.
One tree fell on a cabin at the local caravan park, crushing the building and causing it to splinter.
Several roads have been closed due to downed power lines.
A severe storm warning had been issued for Mudgee earlier on Wednesday afternoon, telling residents to expect heavy rain and damaging winds.
Staff writers with Mudgee Guardian
