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Blue Mountains Council is calling upon residents and visitors to take extreme care when outdoors and in parks and natural areas during severe weather and advised two people were taken to hospital yesterday after being struck by lightning at Echo Point.

The lightning strike came as severe thunderstorms lashed the Blue Mountains near the Jamison Valley and Katoomba on Wednesday afternoon.

Council staff from the Echo Point Visitor Information Centre (VIC) were quick to act, calling emergency services immediately. The two were taken to Katoomba hospital by ambulance.

A large number of visitors sheltered in the VIC and were supported by Council staff during the storm.

Police Rescue are checking a number of walking tracks in the Blue Mountains after reports of stranded walkers as a result of the storm.

Damage and flooding have occurred to a number of Council buildings including the Echo Point VIC and the Council headquarters in Katoomba. It is likely that there was damage to other buildings across the City as the storm impacted.

Blue Mountains Mayor, Mark Greenhill shared "Our thoughts are with the two people struck by lightning and their families during this time. I am proud of Council staff for their quick thinking during this incident. As always, we are grateful for the wonderful emergency services personnel we have in the Blue Mountains.

"I ask people to take care for your own safety and the safety of others. Take precautions when outside, including driving safely and watching out for any hazards including fallen trees and powerlines, flooding and water over roads.

"Given previous major rain events have caused landslides and trees to come down, we are asking residents and visitors to take extreme care when outdoors and in parks and natural areas.

"It is also important to think of the wellbeing of your neighbours, especially the elderly and those who might need additional assistance after being affected by the storm."

The severe weather is set to continue into Thursday across large parts of south-east and southern NSW, including the Blue Mountains, the Bureau of Meteorology said.

Heavy rain, large hail and damaging winds are predicted.

For emergency help in floods and storms, call the NSW State Emergency Service 132 500. In life threatening situations call 000 immediately.  

Image. Lightning Strike illustrative only. Credit: Pexels

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