Tornado slams into Ulladulla, NSW; residents film rare storm

On Oct 3, a sudden, spinning funnel of air tore through the coastal town of Ulladulla in New South Wales, Australia, leaving residents stunned and a tidal wave of footage spreading across social media.

Eyewitness James K., who was walking his dog, described seeing a “dark, swirling column” battering the shoreline, then rolling sideways before dissipating within minutes. The video, shot on a phone and shared on Instagram, shows trees snapped, roofs slapping, and a few cars toppling.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology explained that the tornado developed from a “severe” thunderstorm cluster, noting the phenomenon is “very uncommon to see in such a populated place.” While NOAA classifies tornadoes on a scale of EF0 to EF5, local experts believe this event was likely an EF1, evidencing moderate wind speeds up to 112‑137 km/h.

Property damage included uprooted trees, broken windows, and a partially collapsed fence along Queen Street. Most residents were unharmed, but the town’s emergency services dispatched crews to assess structural safety for several homes and urged residents to stay indoors until the storm’s aftermath subsides.

Within hours, the clip had amassed over 30,000 views, with local users tweeting real‑time updates and emergency officials coordinating relief efforts. Community members highlighted the importance of preparedness, with several calls for stronger building codes in cyclone‑prone areas.

As the town recovers, meteorologists will monitor the region for further severe weather, citing climate variability as a possible factor in the unexpected tornado’s occurrence.