The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe storm warning, with the State Emergency Service urging residents to secure their belongings, avoid floodwaters and park cars under cover.

Just before 5.30pm, the first signs of a storm appeared, with a thick cloud of dust advancing on the city.

A cloudburst followed in its wake, with the weather bureau reporting a dumping of 11.8mm by 6.30pm.

Strong winds, including gusts of up to 95kmh, thrashed the region, leaving a trail of destruction.

Turvey Park Fire Brigade was kept busy, with station officer Jason McDonnell reporting a number of minor incidents such as leaking roofs, as well as bigger issues.

“We had a large tree across Bourke Street,” Mr McDonnell said.

“We had two units respond to that and use a chainsaw to cut it up, then had the council come to remove it.”

Trees were also blocking roads near Junee and on Holbrook Road south of Wagga.

But trees were not the only hazard to Wagga’s motorists, with power problems putting traffic lights out at the intersection of Lake Albert Road and Edward Street, and at intersections along Baylis Street. Power problems also got in the way of Thursday night shoppers’ plans, with Wagga’s Myer store suffering a black-out.

The opposite side of the street was more fortunate, with both Target and Spotlight reporting the power flickered but did not go out.

State Emergency Service workers had responded to more than 15 incidents by 8pm, including trees down across the region and some cases of roof damage. By 7pm last night, all was quiet again, leaving emergency crews to mop up the damage after the city’s second severe storm in three days.