Narooma itself had some heavy rain but missed out on the weather excitement experienced in Bermagui to the south and also north at Batemans Bay where a waterspout made national news.

Back in Bermagui, the Bermagui newsagent was perhaps the hardest hit by flooding caused by hail blocking drains by they were by no means alone.

The newsagent sustained as much as $20,000 worth of damage after the ceiling collapsed when water starting flowing in through the roof after the gutters became clogged.

Owner Rob McLennan said the hail storm was the worst he and even old timers of 90 years had ever seen in the town.

“When we were driving into town, we were driving through what must have been 12-inches of hailstones,” Mr McLennan said.

Similarly, the nearby Cream Patisserie bakery was also closed on Monday due to water damage, while the supermarket, a real estate agent and credit union all the main street had water flowing in.

Bermagui SES controller David Masterson said his unit received five calls for assistance on Sunday, but there were many more incidents of flooding.

“It was a combination of businesses and residences,” Mr Masterson said.

“Gutters on rooves became backed up with the hail. It’s the biggest hail storm I have seen and I have been here all my life since being born here 40 years ago.”

The storm hit in two distinct waves with hail falling and blanketing the town each time.

There were reports of hail to the north at locations including Mystery Bay and Bodalla, but Bermagui was by the far the worst hit by the storm that generated an emergency alert all afternoon.

Narooma local Dan Efraemson and his family were among those caught out while visiting Bermagui and at about 2.30am, they found themselves sheltering in the gelato shop as water starting flowing in through the ceiling.