Storm Cuts Power to 10,000 Customers in Western Australia

An intense storm system hit Western Australia on Sunday, triggering widespread power outages and damaging winds across Perth and surrounding areas. About 10,000 customers were without electricity statewide, according to Western Power. Officials warned that the worst conditions were expected later in the day.

Wind gusts reached 107 km/h at Busselton jetty and 102 km/h at Rottnest Island in the morning. Authorities had forecast destructive gusts in excess of 125 km/h over the state’s south-west, including Perth, during Sunday afternoon and evening.

Residents were urged to remain indoors and secure loose outdoor items because of the risk of falling trees and downed power lines. Some property damage was reported, including a shed that appeared to have been thrown into a swimming pool in Mandurah in the state’s south-west.

Most affected customers were expected to have power restored by mid-afternoon on Sunday, Western Power said.

Weather warnings and shifting risk areas

A severe weather warning issued at 11 a.m. AWST said destructive winds were likely over Perth and other parts of the south-west later on Sunday. The storm was driven by a low-pressure system moving across the region.

The threat from heavy rain eased after widespread rainfall swept parts of the state. Ludlow, about 200 km south of Perth, recorded more than 43 mm in two hours on Saturday night.

Even as the rain eased, officials warned that damaging surf conditions and abnormally high tides were expected to continue. The low-pressure system was forecast to move east, shifting the risk of damaging winds toward south-eastern Western Australia by Monday.

Infrastructure disruption across the Perth region

The storm’s impact was concentrated in Perth and nearby communities, where outages and debris created hazards on roads and around power infrastructure. Authorities reiterated safety warnings to avoid downed lines and to keep clear of areas where trees or other objects had been brought down by gusts.

Forecasters and emergency services were expected to keep updating warnings as the system moved, with attention focused on wind strength and coastal conditions through Monday.