Perth weather: More than 50 flights delayed and 11,400 homes without power as severe thunderstorm hits

A severe thunderstorm has wreaked havoc across the city, leaving thousands of properties without power and delaying more than 50 flights.

Western Power is desperately trying to restore power in about 11,400 homes and businesses in suburbs around Midland, Swan View, Gooseberry Hill, Kalamunda and Maida Vale.

Western Power on Thursday said “destructive and damaging winds” of up to 113km/h had thrown debris into network damaging equipment and brought down power lines.

Emergency services are also responding to at least 40 hazards.

“Our priority during the storm is responding to reported hazards first before we undertake repair to ensure the safety of the community and our crews,” a Western Power spokesperson said.

“Due to storm conditions and the resulting high level of fault activity, some customers may be without power for an extended period, particularly when some equipment such as elevated work platforms are required.

“As crews patrol, additional damage may be found potentially impacting restoration times.

“Our network operations team is working to isolate damaged parts of the network and back-feed where possible to restore power where it is safe to do so.”

Perth Airport confirmed more than 50 flights had been delayed as a safety precaution.

A spokesperson said the delays were due to workers not being allowed on the tarmac during a thunderstorm.

There will be no delays for incoming passengers.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued two severe thunderstorm warnings about 12.40pm on Thursday, warning the storm would bring destructive winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall.

Meteorologist Bob Tarr said it was not unusual to have thunderstorms at this time of year.

He said Perth’s eastern suburbs had received a downpour of up to 40mm of rain.

“We tend to get a few thunderstorms throughout the warm season, but it is a pretty moist air mass,” he told The West.

“Broadly speaking, the highest amounts of rain have been 25 to 40mm in areas east of Perth like the Swan Valley and Gidgegannup.

“There have been quite a few places that have had anywhere between 20 to 30mm of rain in half an hour ... and that’s a very heavy downpour that we don’t typically see in this part of WA.”

Mr Tarr said the thunderstorm would likely continue through Thursday evening before heading south.

“For the most part, the most significant weather will be cleared out of the metro area and adjacent inland parts by mid to late evening,” he said.

“As we go into the overnight period, the main threat from the thunderstorms will be heavy rainfall through the Southwest and Great Southern areas and potentially out into the Gold Fields.”

A Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokesperson said crews had responded to a lightning fire in Perth’s east on Thursday afternoon.

The blaze — sparked by a lightning strike — was reported on Gnangara Road, Ellenbrook, about 1.30pm and was fully extinguished by 2.15pm.

DFES later upgraded its advice warning for parts of the Upper Great Southern and Great Southern about 9.25pm on Thursday and warned residents of a “very dangerous thunderstorm”.

“Very dangerous thunderstorms with intense rainfall are occurring around Albany this evening,” the spokesperson said.

“You need to act now and stay safe with severe weather forecast including heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding over the next several hours in Albany and Mount Barker.

“Severe thunderstorms are also likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours, affecting Albany, Katanning, Mount Barker, Gnowangerup and Wagin.”

State Emergency Service volunteers are also responding to more than 75 assistance requests for damaged buildings, carports and water ingress.

Main Roads WA has urged motorists to drive carefully.

Perth thunderstorm rainfall:

• 30.4mm of rain recorded at Maxon Farm in just 30 minutes
• 30.8mm of rain recorded at Barberton east in just 30 minutes
• 21.4mm of rain recorded at Whiteman Park in just 30 minutes
• 28.4mm of rain recorded at Walebing in just 30 minutes
• 35.2mm of rain recorded at Canterbury in just 1 hour
• 31.2mm of rain recorded at Julimar Forest in just 1 hour
• 28.8mm of rain recorded at Cordering in just 1 hour
• 30.8mm of rain recorded at Mayanup South in just 1 hour
• 34.4mm of rain recorded at Boddington North in 2 hours
• 41.2mm of rain recorded at Culford in three hours
• 35.2mm of rain recorded at Coondee in three hours