Severe storm causes power outages, flooding, and damage across Western Australia
Consensus Summary
A severe storm struck Western Australia’s south and Perth on May 31, 2026, leaving thousands without power, causing minor flooding, and damaging infrastructure. Wind gusts up to 125 km/h were forecast, with Busselton and Rottnest Island recording gusts of 107 km/h and 102 km/h respectively. The Bureau of Meteorology warned of destructive winds and heavy rain, with the worst conditions expected Sunday afternoon. Both ABC and Guardian reported flooding in Perth’s CBD and Albany, while ABC highlighted specific areas like Kwinana Freeway and Busselton’s submerged jetty. The Guardian added details of a missing autistic boy found safe and a shed tossed into a pool in Mandurah, while ABC focused on emergency calls and high tides. Western Power aimed to restore power by Sunday afternoon, though the Guardian noted a broader statewide impact without a breakdown of numbers.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Thousands of homes without power in Western Australia's south and Perth, with 8,000 in the South West and 2,000 in Perth metro affected
- Western Power expects to restore power to most affected customers by Sunday afternoon
- Wind gusts of up to 125 km/h forecast for areas south-west of a line from Lancelin to Albany, including Perth, by late afternoon
- Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning for damaging winds and heavy rainfall covering a large area between Kalbarri and Esperance
- Busselton recorded 51 mm of rain in 24 hours to 9am Sunday (ABC) and Ludlow recorded 43 mm in two hours Saturday night (Guardian)
- Minor flooding reported in Perth CBD (Riverside Drive) and Albany (Esplanade in Lower King)
- Wind gusts of 107 km/h recorded at Busselton jetty and 102 km/h at Rottnest Island
- Storm occurred overnight into Sunday, May 31, 2026, with worst conditions expected Sunday afternoon
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- 120 calls for assistance received by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, mostly for fallen trees, roof damage, and water ingress
- Cape Leeuwin recorded the strongest wind gust of 117 km/h just before 6am Sunday
- Albany experienced localised flooding after receiving 16.4 mm of rain by 9am
- Kwinana Freeway northbound at the Mill Point Road on-ramp experienced flooding
- Busselton's horseshoe jetty submerged by abnormally high tides
- Main Roads encouraging drivers to be aware and drive slowly
- An 11-year-old autistic boy found safe after going missing overnight in Perth’s western suburbs during the storm
- A shed in Mandurah was reportedly tossed into a swimming pool due to the storm
- Duty forecaster Luke Huntington from the Bureau of Meteorology advised residents to tie down loose items like outdoor furniture and trampolines
- Damaging surf conditions and abnormally high tides expected to continue
- The low-pressure system is expected to move east, shifting the risk of damaging winds towards south-eastern WA on Monday
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC reports 8,000 homes in the South West and 2,000 in Perth metro affected (total 10,000), while Guardian states about 10,000 customers affected statewide without breaking down the numbers
- ABC states 19.6 mm of rain in Perth overnight, while Guardian does not specify Perth’s rainfall total but mentions widespread rain
Source Articles
Thousands without power after intense storm lashes WA
Thousands of homes are without power across Western Australia's south including Perth, after an intense storm crossed the coast overnight but residents have been warned the worst of the weather is yet to come.
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...