Emergency crews responded to more than 90 calls for assistance following the surprise storm that lashed the region late on Thursday.
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The storm affected most parts of Wagga, but the suburbs of Tolland and Lake Albert were particularly affected.
About 75 per cent of calls were for fallen trees and branches down, according to the State Emergency Service (SES).
SES crews from Temora, Junee and The Rock assisted Wagga volunteers, as well as two Rural Fire Service crews and two Volunteer Rescue Association crews.
“The 95km/h wind gusts at 4.30pm were responsible for most of the damage,” SES Murrumbidgee Region controller David Buchtmann said.
The storm took emergency services by surprise with a severe storm warning issued at 3.15pm.
“It’s always the problem (with storms),” Mr Buchtmann said.
“You never get much warning and the warning is pretty broad.
“(The storm cell) could have happened five kilometres out of town and not have done as much damage.”
Mr Buchtmann said there were a couple of jobs involving trees damaging property, but on the whole the city escaped major damage.
Both Calvary and Wagga Rural Referral (WWRRH) hospitals were forced to use emergency power after the storm caused power outages throughout the city.
A WWRRH spokesperson said the storm affected power supplies to WWRRH and its mental health unit between about 4.15pm and 6.45pm.
They said all essential services were supported by the back-up power generator supply and there was no impact on patient outcomes.
New Calvary Riverina Hospital chief Robin Haberecht said it was business as usual at the private hospital.
“It’s always inconvenient, but we had back-up power,” Ms Haberecht said.
Wagga received 8.2mm of rain in a three-hour period from 4pm.
It is believed at least two grass fires were started by lightning strikes near Morundah, west of Wagga. Both are under control by Rural Fire Service crews and have burnt a combined total of 150 hectares.
Firefighters have also been called to a blaze south of Urana this morning that may have also been started by a lightning strike on Thursday night.
Wagga City Council’s Tarcutta Street roadworks were only delayed by an hour from the storm.
“The start of works was delayed by only an hour, getting under way at 8pm,” council engineering manager Alex Fenwick said, adding there will be no work on Saturday night to minimise the impact on traffic heading to Robertson Oval for the NAB Challenge.