Rare Tornado Swirls Through Ulladulla, New South Wales

On 3 October a sudden, rotating funnel of air tore through the town of Ulladulla, a quiet coastal community in New South Wales. The phenomenon, captured by residents on their phones, was described as “very uncommon” by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

Meteorologists traced the tornado’s origin to a group of severe thunderstorms that developed over the region earlier that afternoon. The spinning column lasted only a few minutes but was intense enough to knock down several trees and cause damage to local homes.

Local authorities issued a warning for the area and advised residents to seek shelter. While no injuries were reported, the incident has sparked a discussion about how frequently extreme weather events are becoming. Residents are hopeful that the town’s emergency services will continue to improve preparedness for future storms.

The event has been shared widely on social media, with many viewers expressing disbelief at witnessing a tornado in such a populated place. The BBC’s coverage includes user‑generated footage, offering a front‑line view of the storm’s passage and the community’s response.