Power outages are causing chaos across the Perth Hills and metro area, with thousands of properties without electricity following a major storm on Wednesday evening.
The thunderstorm, which struck around 7:30 p.m., unleashed high winds and heavy rain, leaving many residents waking up to tumultuous scenes of destruction. Trees were downed onto powerlines, roads were rendered impassable, and homes reported significant damage.
Initial assessments indicated more than 12,000 properties were without power as clean-up efforts got underway on Thursday. Although Western Power crews were deployed to restore electricity, as of Friday morning, approximately 3,340 customers were still experiencing outages.
According to Western Power, “The areas remaining impacted include parts of Mount Helena, Stoneville, Chidlow, Sawyers Valley and Gidgegannup.” Residents affected by the outages may face extended periods without electricity, with estimates from Western Power indicating restoration may not occur until around 8 p.m. on Saturday.
This protracted situation has left those involved concerned and uncertain, prompting Western Power to reach out directly to affected customers via text to keep them informed and allow for necessary planning.
Notably, the storm's impacts were not limited to the Perth Hills. An additional unplanned outage affected the suburbs of Bibra Lake, South Lake, and Yangebup at around 10:48 a.m. on Friday, impacting 1,988 customers. Power was restored just under one hour later.
For residents sustained by the long-lasting outages, Western Power emphasizes options available, noting, “Customers experiencing outages for longer than 12 hours can apply for extended outage payment,” which it clarifies is “an acknowledgment of inconvenience payment rather than compensation.”
Residents are reminded to exercise caution if they encounter any fallen power lines or observe damage. Western Power suggests staying at least 8 meters away from any downed lines and to report emergencies through their dedicated 24/7 lines at 13 13 51.
For those affected, the best way to stay informed about the restoration efforts is to consult the Western Power outage webpage, which provides real-time updates and information concerning their electricity status.
The aftermath of the severe thunderstorm serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of weather events and the disruption they can bring to everyday life. With restoration efforts now underway, residents are hoping for rapid resolutions as the clean-up continues across the region.
While frustrations may rise with prolonged outages, communication from Western Power remains key. Officials are working diligently to restore power and minimize disruption, with the expectation of power being reinstated for the remaining households on Saturday evening.