Strong winds have caused early morning havoc in Sydney, damaging roofs and blowing trees down onto roads and power lines in the city's west, leaving more than 20,000 homes without power.
The windy weather plus hot temperatures are combining to cause an increased bushfire risk for much of the country on Tuesday with an 'extreme' risk declared for the Greater Sydney area.
The NSW State Emergency Service said it had received 162 calls for help across Sydney from 3am, with most from Camden, Campbelltown, Liverpool and Penrith.
'Significant damage has been reported with parts of roofs blown off residential and commercial properties, trees falling onto houses and scaffolding falling,' the SES said in a statement.