The humid weather is bringing thunderstorms across the region, and last night Coonamble experienced a big one causing building damage and a blackout. 

"It was all very sudden," says John Lewis of the Coonamble SES. 

"It started raining and within a very short time the wind blew up and it was done and dusted." 

While the damage to the verandah roof of the historic Commercial Hotel on the highway attracted the most attention due to its prominent location, it was a childcare centre in Dubbo Street that suffered the most damage. 

"Childcare centre had extensive roof damage," said Mr Lewis.  

"It took six 9x9 metre tarps to cover the roof up. We didn't have enough tarps here to be able to do that big an area, so crews from Baradine and Gilgandra came to bring more tarps and help out."  

The SES worked through until late last night securing the building, assisted by builders who had been doing some work on the centre's roof before the storm.  

In contrast, Mr Lewis said the SES was only at the hotel for a short time, before leaving the work to a large team from Essential Energy. 

The extent of the damage to the historic hotel.

"We had a strong wind that came from the east which lifted the verandah roof and put part of it over top of the hotel's roof. There was no structural damage to the building, apart from a chimney being knocked down. 

"The main drama was the power lines got put over a sign on the building, which is why there was a blackout for so long. The cables had to be moved back into place and checked for damage before power could be restored." 

The SES also assisted with other buildings around town damaged by fallen tree limbs and branches.