The storm cell the Bureau of Meteorology warned of this morning has swept through the Northern Rivers and the Far North Coast, causing widespread damage and causing power outages impacting over 25,600 households and businesses.

Superintendent (Supt) Scott McLennan from the NSW SES Eastern Zone said the storm began in Grafton and gradually made its way up along the ranges striking Casino, Kyogle, Lismore, Nimbin, Uki before hitting the Tweed Valley.

Gusts of wind were being recorded between 70 and 80 kmh, but there were wind gusts of up to 102 kmh at Cape Byron.

"We're currently sitting at 196 incidents across the region. The vast majority of those are in and around the Mullumbimby, Tweed Heads, and Murwillumbah areas. But Ballina, Lismore and Casino are also dealing with their fair share.

(Trees down on Kyogle Road earlier today. Photo: Annemarie Spicer)

"We are working with and coordinating a lot of those jobs with our friends from the New South Wales RFS as well as Fire and Rescue New South Wales. A lot of the incidents that are coming in are related to trees across roads. So, that's where our friends from RFS Fire and Rescue, as well as Transport New South Wales and the councils are dealing with those road issues, and we're getting to the people with houses issues.

"We're expecting more jobs will be called in this afternoon when people get home from work. So, we're just asking you to bear with us. We'll get to you as soon as possible. We are triaging and getting to them as soon as we can. We have crews out on the ground now. We have more crews on their way into those impacted areas."

As a result of the trees down, a large portion of the Northern Rivers has been left without power.

A spokesperson for Essential Energy said, "At around 8.30am, around 4,000 customers were left without power in the Northern Rivers region, mainly around Lismore, Kyogle and Casino.

"By 9.30am, the following towns and surrounding areas were impacted including rural communities:

• Byron Bay - 8,000
• Tweed Heads - 7,700
• Murwillumbah - 3,900
• Ballina - 1,900 

"Essential Energy crews will be working to restore power as soon as it is safe to do so. 

"Our website outages page is being updated with impacted locations, estimated restoration times when known, outage cause and where challenges are being faced in restoring supply.  

"Essential Energy is on call 24/7 and, in an emergency, crews will work as quickly as safety and conditions allow to restore power to the homes, hospitals, schools, businesses and services that form part of each community that we service. 

"In the event of a storm, it’s important that everyone keeps safety front of mind and stays aware and safe." 

To prepare for a storm: 

• Keep an eye on StormTracker so you can be aware of storms near you 
• Secure loose items around your house or property, which could become airborne in strong winds 
• Trim trees around the house. Do not attempt to prune trees in or near powerlines - call us on 13 23 91 or visit essentialenergy.com.au/trees to report trees near powerlines 
• Have a plan in case you lose power supply. Before a storm arrives: 
• Recharge your phones and laptops to help you stay connected with radio alerts, family and friends 
• Back-up computers and phones to keep data safe 
• Consider alternative power sources for water pumps and cooking 
• Make sure you know how to open your garage doors and gates manually 
• Unplug your television, computer, modem and other sensitive electrical equipment during a storm and minimise the use of telephones and electrical appliances 
• Keep a torch and battery powered radio in an easily accessible place in the event of a power outage 
• Prepare an emergency plan and an emergency kit. Visit the SES website, sesemergencyplan.com.au for more information and tools for creating your emergency plan 
• STAY. CALL. WAIT. Stay at least 8 metres away from fallen powerlines or power poles and call Essential Energy immediately on 13 20 80 if you do see damaged powerlines or power poles and wait for Essential Energy to give you the all-clear. 
• Throughout the storm, customers should look out for indicators of potential damage to the electricity network, such as: 
• Fallen powerlines or power poles 
• flickering or no power supply 
• burnt areas in paddocks or roadsides 
• injured or downed livestock 
• smoke or fallen trees 

If you see any of these things, stay at least 8 metres away and call Essential Energy on 13 20 80 to report the damage. In an emergency, always call 000.