More than 200 FESA State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers have worked through the night to help the community after widespread storms hit Perth. The SES had received more than 1400 calls for help across the metropolitan area since yesterday afternoon. Perth’s northern suburbs bore the brunt of the storm with more than 1100 calls for help. Suburbs within the Town of Vincent, City of Stirling, City of Wanneroo and City of Joondalup were worst hit. In the south, suburbs within the City of Canning, City of Gosnells and City of Melville were also badly impacted.
The majority of calls have involved water damage to homes, hail damage, damage to roofs and fallen trees on homes, cars and fences. A landslide near Jacob’s Ladder in Kings Park also caused major damage to two ground floor units in the Adelphi apartment block and two cars but all residents are accounted for. Sixty eight people were relocated from neighbouring apartments to the Perth Convention Centre overnight.
Engineers will conduct a structural assessment this morning and a decision will be made by FESA’s Incident Management Team if the area is safe for people to return home. SES volunteers throughout Perth have been supported by career and volunteer Fire and Rescue Service firefighters and Bush Fire Service crews.
SES crews from Bunbury, Kalbarri and Geraldton are also heading to Perth this morning to help.
FESA are working closely with WA Police, Western Power, Main Roads, Local Government, Department of Health, Department of Education, Department of Child Protection and Telstra to minimise the impact on the community.
WHAT TO DO:
If the storm has caused damage to your home that you can’t fix yourself call the SES on 132 500, but please be patient because there are many people who need their help.
Now the storm has passed the SES advises you to:
- Keep children away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways
- Keep away from fallen powerlines, they are dangerous and should always be treated as live
- Be careful of fallen trees and damaged buildings
- Assess your home, car and property for damage
- Do what you can to limit damage around your home if it is safe to do so
- Check on friends and neighbours to see if they need help
If driving, take extra care on the roads:
- Slow down and keep a safe distance from other drivers
- If it is raining heavily and you cannot see, pull over and park with your hazard lights on until the rain clears
- Take care in areas that have been flooded and do not drive into water of unknown depth and current
ROAD CLOSURES:
Mounts Bay Road city bound is still closed between Winthrop Avenue and Spring Street.
People can still access the Mount Hospital via Thomas Road, Kings Park Road and then onto Mounts Bay Road.
For more information contact Main Roads on 138 138.
WAPOL advises that 67 traffic lights within the metropolitan area are not working but approximately 50 of these are being manned by Police.
When approaching traffic lights people need to drive carefully and be aware of emergency services personnel.
More information about what to do before, during or after a storm can be found at www.fesa.wa.gov.au
