Severe storms cause power outages, flooding, and damage across Western Australia
Consensus Summary
Severe storms battered Western Australia over the weekend, causing widespread power outages, flooding, and damage across Perth and the South West. Multiple sources confirm that thousands of homes lost power, with Western Power reporting hundreds of storm-related outages, particularly in the South West. Wind gusts reached up to 135 km/h at Cape Naturaliste, setting a May record, while other areas experienced gusts exceeding 100 km/h. The Bureau of Meteorology issued severe weather warnings for destructive winds, heavy rainfall, and coastal hazards, prompting authorities to urge residents to secure loose items and stay indoors. Fremantle’s WA Day festival was cancelled due to ongoing severe conditions. While most sources agree on the scale of the damage, discrepancies exist in the exact number of affected customers and the timing of the worst weather, with some reporting the peak occurred on Sunday evening and others forecasting it for Sunday afternoon. The State Emergency Service and police responded to numerous calls for assistance, including fallen trees, roof damage, and flooding in low-lying areas like Riverside Drive in Perth’s CBD.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Western Power reported power outages affecting thousands of customers across WA, with 250+ storm-related outages in the South West
- Severe weather warnings were issued for southern WA, including the Great Southern, Central Wheatbelt, and southern Goldfields regions
- Wind gusts of 107 km/h were recorded at Busselton jetty and 102 km/h at Rottnest Island
- Fremantle's WA Day festival was cancelled due to severe weather
- The Bureau of Meteorology warned of destructive winds averaging up to 70 km/h in southern WA
- A coastal hazard warning was issued for an area from Northampton down to Esperance, warning of gale-force winds and elevated sea levels
- Minor flooding occurred in Perth, including Riverside Drive in the CBD and Kwinana Freeway
- The State Emergency Service received hundreds of requests for assistance, including for fallen trees and power lines
- Western Power estimated most outages would be resolved by around 6:30pm (Article 1) or by mid-afternoon (Article 3)
- A severe weather warning was issued for destructive wind gusts exceeding 125 km/h in the South West, including Perth
- The Bureau of Meteorology warned residents to secure loose items like outdoor furniture and trampolines due to strong winds
- A fallen powerline was reported in the southern Perth suburb of Beaconsfield
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- A 135 km/h wind gust was recorded at Cape Naturaliste, setting a May wind speed record and reaching category 2 cyclone strength
- An apartment building in Cottesloe had its roof torn off, damaging nearby properties
- The State Emergency Service received nearly 700 requests for help
- A new severe weather warning was issued for the Great Southern, Central Wheatbelt, and southern Goldfields regions on June 1
- Western Power reported 69,000 customers without power across WA, with outages concentrated in the South West
- Rainfall in Perth eased overnight with only 4 mm recorded
- A coastal hazard warning was issued for an area from Northampton down to Esperance, warning of gale-force westerly winds and elevated sea levels
- The Bureau of Meteorology warned of coastal flooding in low-lying areas between Jurien Bay and Israelite Bay
- State Emergency Service crews were called out to Rivervale in Perth after trees were brought down
- An 11-year-old autistic boy was found safe after going missing overnight in Perth’s western suburbs during the storm
- Ludlow recorded 43 mm of rainfall in two hours on Saturday night
- Damaging surf conditions were expected to continue with abnormally high tides
- The low-pressure system was forecast to move east, shifting the risk of damaging winds toward south-eastern WA on Monday
- A shed in Mandurah was reportedly tossed into a swimming pool due to the storm
- The Bureau of Meteorology duty forecaster Luke Huntington warned that the wind was the worst hazard and urged residents to stay indoors
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- Article 1 (ABC) reports 69,000 Western Power customers without power, while Article 2 (Guardian) reports about 10,000 customers affected statewide, and Article 3 (ABC) reports 8,000 in the South West and 2,000 in Perth
- Article 1 (ABC) states the worst storm occurred on Sunday evening, while Article 2 (Guardian) and Article 3 (ABC) describe the worst conditions as expected from Sunday afternoon onward
- Article 1 (ABC) mentions a 135 km/h wind gust at Cape Naturaliste, while Article 2 (Guardian) reports a forecast of up to 125 km/h wind gusts in Perth and Article 3 (ABC) mentions a forecast of up to 125 km/h south-west of a line from Lancelin to Albany
- Article 1 (ABC) states the WA Day festival was cancelled due to continued strong winds on Monday, while Article 2 (Guardian) does not mention the festival cancellation
Source Articles
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Thousands without power in Perth as destructive storms hit WA
Wind gusts up to 125km/h forecast to hit city as residents urged to stay away from windows Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Tens of thousands of residents have been left without power in Perth as an intense storm lashed Australia’s west coast, with authorities warning on Sunday morning the worst was still to come. The powerful weather event was forecast to bring wind gusts of up to 125km/h to Perth and communities along Western Australia’s coast. Continue reading...
Thousands without power after intense storm lashes WA
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