Fire crews fear a wind change, lightning strikes and thunderstorms on Sunday will add further challenges after a devastating day of blazes in NSW.

At least a dozen fires are still burning out of control after 12 homes were destroyed in Koolewong, near a waterfront area on the Central Coast.

Around four homes also went up in flames in the Crawford River area.

“Everything’s gone, you know, memories, all our clothes, all our possessions,” said Central Coast resident Tony Stellino.

An approaching storm on Sunday is expected to bring strong winds and lightning strikes, creating unfavourable conditions.

Koolewong will remain a priority for fire crews despite warnings being downgraded to ‘watch and act’, although the fire has moved towards the Woy Woy Bay area.

On Sunday, residents of Whiddon Nursing Home, at Redhead near Newcastle, were warned they were in the path of danger.

NSW premier Chris Minns said Saturday was a “confronting day”.

“This is a warning for everyone to follow the advice … we need to make sure we do everything we possibly can to protect lives,” said Minns.

Residents were urged to remain on high alert when the wind change hits the region very early, although conditions should ease by 5am.

“We’re seeing a band of lightning come across the state, that lightning is looking to head towards the Central Coast and we’re concerned about the wind change that’s expected to come through overnight,” NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Trent Curtin said on Saturday afternoon.

Firefighters mop up after a bushfire engufed homes on Glenrock Parade and Johns Road, Koolewong. Photo: AAP

An uncontained bushfire in Redhead, south of Newcastle, prompted an emergency warning early on Sunday, with residents told it was too late to leave and urged to seek shelter.

Temperatures are expected to ease from Sunday for most of NSW and southern Australia, though the heat will build across northern Australia and WA and returning to much of the country early in the week.

Curtin hoped the cooler weather would create an “excellent opportunity” for firefighters to get on top of the fires.

Residents ‘lost everything’ when their homes were engulfed. Photo: AAP

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese thanked emergency services for their efforts on the ground and in the air, adding that his thoughts were with residents affected by the fires.

Elsewhere, more than a dozen homes and shacks, outbuildings and cars were damaged and two firefighters were injured fighting an out-of-control fire at Dolphin Sands on Tasmania’s east coast on Friday.

The fire has since been contained, although it’s not safe for residents to return as access to the area remains dangerous.

Victorians will face milder temperatures on Sunday after a cold front and thunderstorms followed hot, dry and windy weather on Friday.

-with AAP