Sydney, June 1: Severe storms that struck Western Australia over the weekend have left thousands of homes without electricity. The storms caused significant damage to properties and power lines.
According to Western Power, as of Monday morning, approximately 70,000 consumers, including residents of Perth, were without power. The intense storms that hit the southern part of the state on Saturday and Sunday resulted in extensive damage.
Winds exceeding 100 kilometers per hour were recorded in several areas of southern and southwestern Australia. The severe weather, which lasted nearly 24 hours, led to widespread damage and flooding in various locations.
The State Emergency Service (SES) reported receiving around 700 calls for assistance by Monday morning. Most complaints were related to roof damage, structural issues, and fallen trees. Officials stated that there have been no reports of injuries so far.
According to the Fire and Emergency Services Department, the roof of an apartment building in the coastal suburb of Cottesloe in Perth was blown off by strong winds. Residents in the area have been advised to stay indoors.
A missing 11-year-old boy from Perth’s western suburbs was found safe on Sunday morning, as confirmed by the police. Western Power estimates that power supply will be restored in most areas by Monday night.
Some regions experienced cyclone-like winds, with gusts reaching up to 135 kilometers per hour recorded at Cape Naturaliste.
Western Power is actively working to restore electricity across Western Australia. Currently, about 69,000 consumers are affected by power outages, with over 250 storm-related power disruptions reported in the southwest region.
The company anticipates that most power supply will be restored by around 6:30 PM, but the task is considerable and challenging.
Brett Hoving, head of operational maintenance at Western Power, stated, “We currently have around 1,300 incidents recorded on our network, so this is certainly not a small matter.”
Fallen trees, power lines, and other debris have been observed on roads in Perth and the southern and western coastal areas of the state. Authorities have urged drivers to exercise caution while driving.
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