Perth’s Recent Storms: A Trail of Destruction
The First Storm: A “Mini-Tornado” Hits Northern Suburbs
On April 12, a powerful storm swept through Perth’s northern suburbs, bringing with it strong winds, heavy rain, and huge hailstones. The storm was so intense that it was likened to a “mini-tornado” by some residents, with winds gusting up to 120 kilometers per hour.
Naturally, if you need new gutters, get in touch. But, back to what happened . . .
Destruction & Disruption for Perth
Perth storm’s ferocity was such that it ripped roofs off houses, uprooted trees, and brought down power lines, leaving thousands of homes without electricity.
The suburb of Clarkson was particularly hard hit, with many homes suffering significant damage.
Eyewitness Accounts
One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, described the storm as “terrifying!” She had never experienced anything like it before …
The wind was howling, and the hail was pounding against the windows. I was convinced that the roof was going to come off at any moment.
Clarkson Resident
Transportation Disruptions
The storm also caused significant disruptions to transportation, with many roads closed due to fallen trees and power lines.
Perth Airport was also affected, with several flights delayed or cancelled due to the bad weather.
WA Government Response
The Western Australian government was quick to respond, with Premier Mark McGowan declaring the affected areas a “state of emergency” and deploying emergency services to assist with the clean-up.
Perth’s Second Storm
A Waterspout Hits Southern WA
Just as Perth was beginning to recover from the first storm, another intense system swept through the city on May 29. This time, the storm brought with it a rare weather phenomenon known as a “waterspout,” which is essentially a tornado that forms over water.
Heavy Rain and Strong Winds
The storm was part of a larger weather system that brought heavy rain and strong winds to southern Western Australia. The town of Bunbury, located about 175 kilometers south of Perth, was particularly hard hit, with many homes flooded and roads closed due to the heavy rain.
Perth Transportation Disruptions Again
The storm also caused significant disruptions to transportation, with many roads closed and several flights delayed or cancelled. The Perth Airport was again affected, with several flights diverted to other airports due to the bad weather.
Clean-Up Efforts
The clean-up efforts were once again slow and laborious, with many residents forced to wait for days for their homes to be repaired and their power to be restored. The Western Australian government was again quick to respond, with Premier McGowan declaring the affected areas a “state of emergency” and deploying emergency services to assist with the clean-up.
Are Perth’s new storms related to Climate Change?
The recent storms have raised concerns about the impact of climate change on Perth’s weather patterns. While it is impossible to attribute individual weather events to climate change, many scientists believe that the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are linked to rising global temperatures.
Expert Insights
Dr. Jatin Kala, a climate scientist at the University of Western Australia, said that the recent storms were consistent with the expected impacts of climate change on Perth’s weather patterns.
As the planet warms, we can expect to see more frequent and intense heatwaves, droughts, and heavy rainfall events, Perth is particularly vulnerable to these types of events due to its location in a region prone to extreme weather.
Dr Jatin Kala, Climate Scientist, UWA
Perth City Infrastructure Concerns
The storms have also raised concerns about the preparedness of Perth’s infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events. Many residents have criticized the city’s power grid, saying that it is inadequate and prone to failures during bad weather.
WA Government Response to Infrastructure Concerns
The Western Australian government has promised to investigate the causes of the power outages and to take steps to improve the resilience of the city’s infrastructure.
Premier McGowan has also announced plans to invest in renewable energy and to reduce the state’s carbon emissions.
Rebuilding and Recovery
In the meantime, residents of Perth are left to pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives after the recent storms. While the clean-up efforts will take time, many residents are grateful that the storms did not result in any loss of life.
One Perth resident bottom lined it…
It’s just stuff, and it can be replaced. What’s important is that we’re all safe and sound.
Perth Resident
