Freak storm wreaks havoc

The freak hailstorm and accompanying high-speed winds that swept over the Peninsula on Wednesday afternoon wreaked widespread havoc, cutting power and closing businesses.

McDonalds Woy Woy was closed for several hours, and had to turn away customers.

By the time it reopened, the queue for the drive-through stretched back to George St.

Deepwater Plaza also suffered a black-out and erected barriers to warn customers of the centre's closing.

Coles Woy Woy closed its bulkhead doors and turned customers away while staff returned perishable goods to cold storage.

Debris from trees and floodwater from blocked or overflowing drains created driving hazards.

A spokesperson for IAG insurance reported few claims on the Peninsula though nearby Gosford reported approximately 316 claims, roughly 300 of those being car claims.

Stuart Baumann, January 3