On the 30 November 1995, a number of suburbs in the Hunter Valley and Mid-North Coast experienced a severe thunderstorm with high winds. The greatest damage occurred in Maitland, Metford, Thornton and Taree. The suburb of Beresfield was also impacted by the storm.

More than 120 buildings were unroofed or seriously damaged across the region. The Department of Community Services despatched a team of 10 people to the area to distribute emergency supplies. Serious damage occurred to the electricity supply in the region.

The Insurance Council of Australia estimated the 1995 damage at $10 million, with the 2011 estimated normalised cost of $31 million.