On 18 March 1990, a hailstorm spread from Camden south-west of Sydney to Narrabeen Beach on Sydney's northern region. The hail measured up to 8 cm and caused severe damage to approximately 14,000 homes and businesses and 9000 motor vehicles. Winds reached 109 km per hour at Bankstown.

Nine kilometres of power lines were brought down and roads were closed from flash flooding. The State Emergency Service received more than 3500 calls for help in the first two days after the storm with assistance being provided to approximately 2000 homes. Twenty-five people sustained serious injury.

The Insurance Council of Australia estimated the 1999 damage at $319 million, with the 2011 estimated normalised cost of $1297 million.