Asbestos traces will keep most of the Sydney suburbs at risk after a heavy tornado hit the city on Wednesday with winds at the fastest recorded speed of 213 kilometres per hour. In addition, residents will remain without power for about 48 hours.

The local police have requested Sydney residents not to come in contact with damaged houses or wreckage as they might contain traces of asbestos. Assistant Commissioner Michael Fuller said that an Impact Assessment Team will look after the damages on Thursday. He also mentioned a community information meeting scheduled at 12:00 p.m. at the Marton Community Hall at Captain Cook Drive close to Silver Beach Road.

“We have experts that will examine the area to identify debris that may contain asbestos and coordinate its removal,” the ABC quoted Fuller as saying. “We have also commenced air quality testing as an additional measure to ensure the highest level of public safety.”

Meanwhile, energy companies have promised Sydney residents that they will work 24/7 to restore electricity in the areas but the process will take about two days. Energy provider Ausgrid said that the electricity network it used in Kurnell has been adversely destructed along with the loss of a transformer. The roof of the local substation was also destroyed, prompting power cuts in around 800 homes and businesses.

Ausgrid has mentioned making a restoration plan at noon on Thursday but at the same time specified that the residents will have to patiently wait for 24 to 48 hours to get the power back.

Sydney Water’s spokesperson said that power resumed again by 3:50 p.m. on Wednesday, but the residents might not have realised the changes in service. Energy provider Endeavour Energy said that it was expecting the repair to be completed by Wednesday evening after 120 of its customers experienced power outages on Wednesday afternoon.

As of Thursday, Weatherzone meteorologist Craig McIntosh declared that Sydney residents won’t face any more tornadoes. They can expect calmer and stable weather conditions in the upcoming days as the clean-up process continues.

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