Lismore declared disaster zone after hailstorms

SYDNEY - Lismore on NSW's north coast has been declared a natural disaster zone after yesterday's hailstorms.

State Emergency Services Minister Nathan Rees made the announcement early this afternoon after inspecting the city.

The State Emergency Service (SES) is preparing for further damage tomorrow as more electrical storms are expected in the region.

The north coast was hit hard yesterday as large hailstones left a path of destruction.

SES crews have received about 470 calls for assistance, and an extra 15 SES teams arrived in the Lismore area last night and this morning to help deal with them.

Hailstones smashed homes and cars during the tempest yesterday.

Lismore Base Hospital reported that 21 people were injured during the storms.

Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile also visited Lismore today, and inspected damaged crops outside the town.

- AAP