In February 1978 severe storms affected Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong. Wind gusts reached 141 km per hour at Newcastle, causing extensive damage to buildings and the loss of power to many homes. In total eight people were injured as a result of this storm. A tornado accompanied a thunderstorm in the Drummoyne and Hunters Hill areas of Sydney.

The Insurance Council of Australia estimated the 1978 damage at $15 million, with the 2011 estimated normalised cost of $215 million.