Tornado-Like Storm Tears Roofs off Buildings Near Yass, Australia

A storm that New South Wales State Emergency Service (SES) commander Deanne Young called a "tornado-like event" tore roofs off buildings and toppled trees on the state's Southern Tablelands on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 31, 2026, the Sydney Morning Herald and ABC News reported. The storm struck Good Hope, a small community about 12 kilometers outside Yass, Australia, and brought hail described as golf-ball-sized.

The SES said the storm ripped off six roofs and damaged the roofs of 10 other buildings, ABC News reported. Strong winds also toppled trees, initially blocking road access to the area. No injuries had been reported as of Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026.

Young, the SES commander for the Yass Hilltops area, said of the storm: "It hit very hard and very fast and did some pretty significant damage." She added, "There did appear to be a bit of a funnel forming out of the clouds," ABC News reported.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the tornado hit as severe storms swept across New South Wales on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, including in parts of Sydney.