SOUTHERN NSW apple and cherry growers have woken this morning to millions of dollars worth of hail damage.

Growers told ABC radio today the worst storm in 25 years swept into Batlow from the west yesterday to devastate crops.


Young apples were split in half, hail netting torn and trees damaged.

Early estimates put the damage bill at more than $10 million with assessors due to visit affected orchards today.

Batlow is one of Australia’s premium red apple growing regions.

Meanwhile a tornado tore off roofs and damaged a dozen homes at Belbridge, on Lake Hume, yesterday.

Rainfall totals range from 53mm at Falls Creek, to 25mm at Seymour, 20mm at Rutherglen and 25mm at Albury.

Heavy rain continues to lash the region this morning but is expected to clear by lunch.

Flood warnings are current for the Upper Murray, North East and Goulburn Broken areas.