Wild winds hit Sydney

Strong winds have ripped along the New South Wales coast, taking school and hospital roofs with them and leaving more than 26,000 homes without power.

Severe weather warnings remain in place for much of the state's coastline and Sydney's northern beaches and and Wollongong, after the state was hit with winds of up to 90 kilometres.

Among the most serious cases of wind damage were a roof blown off St Paul's Catholic school in the northern beaches suburb of Manly, injuring two, and a Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital building that had part of its roof destroyed.

The weather bureau says the worst of the blustery weather is believed to be over, but surf warnings remain in place.

Sydneysiders have been told to expect a wintry weekend.

Meanwhile, power provider Ausgrid says some of the more than 26,000 homes without power, mostly in Sydney's northwest and northern beaches, and some isolated pockets of the city, could have to wait until daybreak before power's back.