The Bureau of Meteorology says severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds over the next several hours across the northern rivers, including Lismore, Byron Bay, Ballina, Casino, Kyogle and Yamba.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
* Keep at least eight metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
* Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid on 131 388 or Essential Energy on 132 080.
* Unplug computers and appliances.
* Avoid using hard-wired landline phones during the storm.
* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.
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