Wild Storm Pummels Perth: Widespread Power Outages Hit Tens Of Thousands

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Post on Jan 26, 2025

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Wild Storm Pummels Perth: Widespread Power Outages Hit Tens of Thousands

A ferocious storm has unleashed its fury on Perth, leaving a trail of destruction and plunging tens of thousands of residents into darkness. The unprecedented weather event, described by meteorologists as a "once-in-a-decade" storm, brought with it torrential rain, damaging winds exceeding 100km/h, and hail the size of golf balls. The impact on the city has been significant, causing widespread power outages, significant property damage, and travel chaos.

Devastating Winds and Power Outages Across Perth

The storm, which hit Perth late Tuesday afternoon, quickly escalated into a powerful weather system. Gusts of wind exceeding 100km/h ripped through the metropolitan area, uprooting trees, downing power lines, and causing significant damage to buildings. Western Power, the state's electricity provider, reported that over 50,000 homes and businesses experienced power outages at the peak of the storm. Many suburbs, including Subiaco, Cottesloe, and Fremantle, were particularly hard hit.

Key Impacts of the Perth Storm:

• Widespread Power Outages: Tens of thousands of residents remain without power, with restoration efforts expected to take several days.
• Extensive Property Damage: Numerous reports of damaged roofs, fallen trees impacting homes and vehicles, and shattered windows have flooded emergency services.
• Travel Disruptions: Roads have been closed due to fallen trees and flooding, causing significant traffic delays and disruptions to public transport.
• Hail Damage: Large hail caused damage to vehicles and property across several suburbs.
• Emergency Services Overwhelmed: Emergency services have been inundated with calls, urging residents to only contact them in case of life-threatening emergencies.

Western Power Working to Restore Electricity

Western Power has deployed hundreds of crews to work around the clock to restore power to affected areas. The company has urged residents to remain patient and to avoid downed power lines. They've also advised people to check their neighbours, particularly the elderly, to ensure they're safe and have access to essential resources. You can check the Western Power outage map for updates on restoration times.

Safety Precautions Following the Storm

With many trees and power lines still down, the risk remains high. Residents are urged to exercise extreme caution and adhere to the following safety measures:

• Avoid downed power lines: Treat all downed power lines as live and dangerous.
• Report damage: Report any damage to your property or infrastructure to your local council and insurance provider.
• Stay informed: Monitor weather reports and updates from emergency services.
• Check on neighbours: Ensure your elderly or vulnerable neighbours are safe and have access to necessary resources.

This severe storm serves as a potent reminder of the importance of preparedness during extreme weather events. It’s crucial to have an emergency kit readily available, including essential supplies like water, non-perishable food, a first-aid kit, and a battery-powered radio. Stay safe, Perth! We will continue to provide updates as the situation unfolds. Keep checking back for the latest information on the Perth storm and power outage recovery efforts.