The dramatic storm rages above Perth.
A severe and freak weather storm brought chaos to Perth yesterday, cutting off power supplies and causing extensive damage to homes and buildings. Landslips, giant hailstones, flooding and severe winds brought the city to a standstill.
Torrential downpours saw many areas hit by flash floods whilst 120km ph winds tore up power cables and ripped roofs off buildings. Hospitals and schools were badly affected with many schools staying shut today. Part of the hospital had to be evacuated after the roof collapsed.
Flights at Perth airport were cancelled and delayed as part of the terminal roof collapsed. Data collected from the airport showed that a month’s rainfall had landed on the airport in just seven minutes.
Hailstones as big as golf balls smashed into the city sending people running for cover whilst drivers battling through the storm not only had to contend with smashed windscreens but also no signals as the power for 150 traffic lights went down.
A landslip at the Adelphi apartments on Kings Hill filled homes with mud and crushed two parked cars. Damage to property is so extensive that insurers are calling it an “insurance catastrophe”. Initial estimates put the bill at £66.5 million.
Western Australian premier Colin Barnett called it the worst storm in years: “I think from my memory this would be the most severe weather conditions we’ve had since the famous May storm in 1994, where we had very, very strong winds and a massive loss of power supply.” He said in an interview with ABC.
The severe storms were predicted after Perth saw its driest summer on record. Perth residents are now being told to prepare for a wet and windy Autumn as more storms are set to follow.
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