Collapse of built environment

Emergency evacuations are underway in the western NSW town of Dubbo after a crane collapsed during a powerful storm.The crane on Blight Street in Dubbo's CBD was buffeted by 115 kilometre an hour winds just before 4pm.A video recorded from the window of a nearby building shows the crane rocking in the wind.The boom then comes loose and collapses into a nearby apartment building on Church Street.Residents nearby said the crane made a big bang and a screeching sound as it fell.NSW Police have set-up a 150-metre exclusion zone around the crane.Surrounding buildings on Bligh, Wingewarra, Church, Macquarie and Talbragar streets have been evacuated as a precaution.There have been no reports of injuries at this stage.It comes as a wild dust storm swept across western NSW.
It has caused significant damage to electricity infrastructure with 1,900 homes without power around Dubbo.Traffic lights in the city's CBD have also lost power.The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Coonabarabran, Merriwa, Kandos, Mullaley, Boggabri and Tambar Springs.Residents are advised to stay indoors and avoid fallen powerlines.