Thousands without power in Perth as destructive storms hit WA

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. Images of widespread destruction flooded social media, including one showing a shed seemingly tossed into a swimming pool in Mandurah in the state’s south-west. There were widespread power outages in parts of Perth and its surrounds, with about 10,000 customers affected statewide, according to Western Power. Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email Most were expected to have their electricity restored by mid-afternoon. Wind gusts of 107km/h were recorded at Busselton jetty in the morning, while 102km/h gusts were recorded at Rottnest Island. A severe weather warning issued by the Bureau at 11am AWST indicated destructive wind gusts in excess of 125km/h were likely over the state’s south-west, including Perth, during Sunday afternoon and evening. Residents had been urged to close their curtains and remain inside away from windows as the low-pressure system approached the state in the morning. “People should definitely tie down loose items like outdoor furniture and trampolines,” the Bureau of Meteorology duty forecaster Luke Huntington told AAP. …