Sydney has a long history of severe thunderstorms, and some have produced exceptionally large hail capable of causing widespread damage to vehicles, homes and businesses.
From the historic 1947 Sydney hailstorm to the devastating 1999 storm, hail has repeatedly demonstrated just how much damage a severe Sydney thunderstorm can cause. The Bureau of Meteorology
Here are some of the most notable hailstorms to hit Sydney.
The Great Sydney Hailstorm – January 1947
On 1 January 1947, a severe hailstorm struck Sydney, with the eastern suburbs among the hardest-hit areas.
The Bureau of Meteorology's historical records describe extensive damage to tiled roofs and vehicles, with hundreds of people reportedly injured by large hailstones and flying glass. Part of the roof at Central Station was also damaged. The Bureau of Meteorology
It remains one of Sydney's notable historic hail events.
Western Sydney Hailstorm – March 1990
On 18 March 1990, a violent thunderstorm struck western Sydney, with Auburn and Bankstown among the areas most seriously affected.
Hailstones measuring up to approximately 9 cm in diameter were reported. Three people were injured and the damage bill exceeded $319 million according to Bureau of Meteorology historical records. The Bureau of Meteorology
Sydney Hailstorm – April 1999
The 14 April 1999 Sydney hailstorm is one of the most significant severe weather events in the city's history.
The storm moved across eastern Sydney and produced hail officially measured at around 9 cm in diameter, with the Bureau of Meteorology noting that even larger hail likely fell in the worst-affected areas.
More than 20,000 properties and 40,000 vehicles were damaged, with insurance claims reaching approximately $1.7 billion at the time. The Bureau described the storm as being of a magnitude rarely seen in Australia or elsewhere in the world. The Bureau of Meteorology
For the automotive industry, the enormous number of damaged vehicles demonstrated just how widespread hail damage can become after a single severe storm.
Sydney Hailstorm – December 2018
Sydney was again hit by severe thunderstorms and damaging hail in December 2018.
Large hail affected parts of the Sydney region, damaging vehicles and property and generating large numbers of insurance claims.
The event was another reminder that severe hail remains a significant risk for vehicles parked outdoors during Sydney thunderstorms.
What Does Hail Do to a Car?
Depending on the size and intensity of the hail, a vehicle can be left with anything from several small dents to hundreds of dents across multiple panels.
Commonly affected areas include:
Bonnet
Roof
Doors
Guards
Quarter panels
Boot or tailgate
Larger hail can also damage paintwork, windscreens, glass, trims and other vehicle components.
Can Hail Damage Be Repaired with PDR?
Where the damage is suitable, Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) — also known as Paintless Dent Removal — is commonly used to repair hail dents while preserving the vehicle's existing factory paint finish.
Rather than filling and repainting each damaged area, specialist PDR tools and techniques are used to carefully reshape individual dents.
This can make PDR particularly suitable for hail-damaged vehicles where there are numerous dents but the paintwork remains in good condition.
However, every vehicle needs to be assessed individually. Severe impacts, damaged paint and badly stretched metal can affect whether PDR is appropriate.
How Long Does Hail Damage Repair Take?
Hail damage repairs are generally more involved than repairing an individual door ding or minor dent.
A hail-damaged vehicle can have dozens or even hundreds of individual dents, so PDR hail repairs typically take a few days, depending on the extent and severity of the damage.
How Can You Protect Your Car from Hail?
When severe thunderstorms are forecast, the best protection is to move your vehicle undercover before the storm arrives.
Where possible:
Park inside a garage or undercover car park
Keep an eye on severe thunderstorm warnings
Avoid driving into a severe hailstorm
If safe to do so, move an exposed vehicle undercover before the storm reaches your area
No method can guarantee protection from severe hail, but keeping a vehicle undercover provides the best defence.
Hail Damage Repair in Sydney
Dentless Automotive provides professional mobile Paintless Dent Repair and Paintless Dent Removal throughout the Sydney area.
With 2,000+ vehicles repaired, we have experience repairing everything from individual dents to extensive hail damage.
Has your vehicle been damaged by hail? Complete our Get a Quote form and upload clear photos of the damage so we can assess whether PDR may be suitable.
