NSW State Emergency Service Port Macquarie-Hastings unit controller Paul Burg said the area was the worst hit in the Port Macquarie-Hastings. 

The storm hit the Camden Haven at about 2pm on January 1, 2018. 

Residents have reported damage to their house roofs, windows, cars and caravans. 

At 3.40pm on January 1 the SES had been called to over 40 jobs associated with hail damage and Mr Burg said the number of incidents was expected to rise. 

SES members from Wauchope and Port Macquarie had been called to assist in the Camden Haven. 

Mr Burg said intense storms often come during the summer period. 

“It’s part and parcel,” he said. 

Mr Burg said members are aiming to work as quickly as possible but anticipate they will be attending jobs into the evening. 

He said more storms are predicted for tonight and on January 2. 

Laurieton resident Megan Sharman lives on Bold Street and got a fright when hail broke her bathroom window. 

“When I heard my bathroom window smash it was really scary,” she said. 

“I was inside with all my windows closed.” 

Megan used to live in Cairns and she has experienced a lot of cyclones. 

She said the fear she felt during the Laurieton storm compared to that of a cyclone. 

The storm in Laurieton lasted at least 20 minutes and it brought heavy rain and hail. 

“It’s damaged all of our cars,” Megan said. 

Gary Treeby also lives on Bold Street and he said some of the hail stones were as big as golf balls. 

Gary has lived in Laurieton for the last 12 years and he said it is the most intense storm he has witnessed in the area.