Severe storm hits Perth causing major power outage across hills area

Thank you for following The West’s updates on the severe storm that hit the Perth Hills on Tuesday, this concludes our live coverage for today.

Houses in Brigadoon, Gidgegannup and surrounding suburbs are not expected to have their power restored until 12.00pm on Wednesday.

Western Power confirmed 47 people in those areas will be impacted by the power outage for another 19 hours.

Another 644 residents in suburbs further out, such as Bejoording, Coondle, Nunile and Wattening are also expected to be affected by the power outage until 12pm tomorrow.

Click here to check where the outages are and when power will be restored.

Local Stephanie Farrow described the scenes as scary, recalling the moment a car lifted up off the ground as severe winds smashed the area.

“A small hatchback in front of us started lifting on one side, (we) thought it was going to flip over. So we moved,” Ms Farrow said.

“Very scary and dangerous,” she added.

Albany Highway is closed between Crossman and Wilkie roads as firefighters battle the blaze near Crossman.

The highway closure is likely to cause some delays for truckies who regularly use the major thoroughfare.

North-easterly wind gusts up to 44km/h have put residents in the Boddington, Crossman and Marradong areas on high alert as fireys try to fight the flames.

There are multiple trees over Goomalling-Toodyay Road about 3km south of Mumberkine.

In Oakford, Thomas Road has been closed between Tonkin Highway and Nicholson Road due to the storm chaos, with speed restrictions and traffic management in place.

And in Gnowangerup, a tree over the road has blocked the southbound lane of Chester Pass Road south of Borden-Bremer Bay Road.

Drivers in storm-affected areas have been told to exercise extreme caution when driving.

SES 132 500

The Bureau of Meteorology has advised the storm threat has eased across the Perth metropolitan area, revealing at the storm’s height Lake Chittering observed 28mm of rain in 30 minutes, while Millendon reported a 94 km/h wind gust at 12.51 pm.

WHAT TO DO:

• Keep away from flooded drains, rivers,streams and waterways.
• Be careful of fallen trees, damaged buildings and debris.
• Keep clear of fallen powerlines, they are dangerous and should always be treated as live.
• Assess your home, car and property for damage.
• Check to see if your neighbour needs help.
• If damage has occurred, take photos and contact your insurance company to organise permanent repairs.
• If your home has significant damage, like a badly damaged roof or flooding, call the SES on 132 500.

A number of properties have been damaged as winds uproot trees, DFES confirmed.

Large trees have toppled metres from a Mundaring KFC as thousands of people remain without power.

On Great Eastern Highway one tree has fallen on powerlines as businesses are forced to deal with the aftermath of the extreme storm.

In the fast food carpark, near the intersection of Great Eastern Highway and Stoneville Road, branches and trees more than 10 metres in length are covering multiple parking bays.

The brunt of the storm has passed Mundaring and the clean up has begun.

The blaze threatening the Wongan Hills townsite has been downgraded to bushfire advice, in good news for its 900-odd residents.

While the out-of-control blaze remains unpredictable, it is now moving slowly in a north-westerly direction.

Those bound by Manmanning Road to the east, Craig Road to Hospital Road in the north, Foulkes Road and Serio Road to the west and Goodie Road to the south have been advised that while there is no immediate threat, people should stay up to date in case the situation changes.

Northam-Pithara Road between Waddington-Wongan Hills and Korraling roads is closed.

About 55 volunteer fireys and local pastoralist firefighters are on the scene, attempting to contain and gain control over the blaze.

Fireys are keeping their eyes on a blaze in Boddington which sparked after severe storms tore through the area.

The fire was reported just after 2pm, prompting the closure of some parts of Albany Highway.

People in the area bounded by Crossman Road, Greys Road, Albany Highway and Tyler Road in parts of Boddington, Crossman and Marradong have been issued watch and act advice.

“There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is approaching in the area and conditions are changing,” the DFES warning said.

Boddington recorded huge wind gusts up to 65km/h just before 3pm, with the strong northerly threatening to fan flames further south.