SES responds as thunderstorm hits Perth metropolitan area, York, Mandurah and surrounding areas. State Emergency Service (SES) Volunters has answered more than 95 calls for help after a bad thunderstorm and tornado hit the Perth metropolitan area, York, Mandurah and surrounding areas this afternoon.
Damage has been reported in Morley and Dianella which were hit by a tornado just after midday today.
IF YOUR HOME HAS BEEN DAMAGED:
- Be careful of debris and damaged buildings.
- Check on friends and neighbours to see if they need help.
- If asbestos has been damaged on your property you should seek professional advice before attempting any repairs or clean up because it could be dangerous.
- The Department of Health advises that some level of asbestos sheeting and roofing has been detected. The risk is considered low due to the wet weather and the bonded nature of the material. As a precautionary measure a consultant has been engaged by the City of Stirling to do a comprehensive review and report on the potential for any continuing risk.
- If your home has structural damage like a badly damaged roof or flooding, call the SES.
- Contact your insurance company or property manager to organise permanent repairs.
People are being urged to do what they can to help themselves before calling the SES for assistance.
WHAT SES VOLUNTEERS ARE DOING:
Forty five SES volunteers from nine units have completed 47 jobs. They will continue attending the ramining calls for help into the night, making temporary repairs to homes, fixing minor roof damage and removing fallen trees from homes, cars and fences. SES volunteers have been supported by FESA career Fire and Rescue Service firefighters and Urban Search and Rescue.
WA Police, Western Power, Department of Child Protection, Main Roads, Water Corporation, Department of Health, Department of Conservation Pollution Response Unit, Department of Education, Salvation Army and the City of Stirling are also working with FESA.
ROAD CLOSURES AND TRAFFIC LIGHT OUTAGES:
A number of roads have been closed due to fallen powerlines, including:
- Morley Drive between Alexander Drive and Wellington Road
- Light Street at Morley Drive to Lyndhurst Street
- Light Street between View Street and Kensington Avenue
- Marmion Street between Valentine Avenue and Light Street
- Further clarification should be sought from WA Police or Main Roads WA on 138 138.
More bad weather coming between Jurien Bay, Beacon, Corrigin and Bunbury
If you live in, near or between a line from Jurien Bay to Beacon to Corrigin to Bunbury, you should take action with more bad weather to come.
This includes people in the Perth metropolitan area, York, Mandurah and surrounding areas.
WHAT TO DO:
The SES has these tips to help you and your family stay safe:
- Close your curtains and blinds, and stay inside away from windows
- If caught outside find safe shelter away from trees, powerlines, storm water drains and streams
- Unplug electrical appliances and avoid using landline telephones if there is lightning
- If there is flooding, create your own sandbags by using pillow cases filled with sand and place them around doorways to protect your home
- If driving:
- Slow down, turn your lights on 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
- Be aware of Emergency Services Personnel working in the area
THUNDERSTORM DETAILS:
As at 6.50pm on Thursday 7 June 2012 the Bureau of Meteorology advises bad weather is likely to hit people in or near Jurien Bay, Beacon, Corrigin, Bunbury and surrounding areas between 8.00pm and midnight.
This includes people in or near York, Mandurah and the Perth metropolitan area. The thunderstorm could bring destructive Winds and Heavy Rainfall that could damage your home and make travel dangerous.
A low pressure system to the southwest of Perth is producing showers and thunderstorms over the southwest of the State with isolated dangerous gusts that could cause significant damage to homes and property. Showers and thunderstorms may also cause heavy rainfall that may cause flash flooding. There will also be some hail associated with thunderstorms but large hail is not expected.
Conditions are expected to ease during this evening.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS:
- If the storm has caused damage to your home call the SES on 132 500
- In a life threatening situation call 000
- For information about road conditions contact Main Roads WA on 138 138
- To report downed power lines call Western Power on 13 13 51
- For the latest weather information visit www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 213
- For advice on damaged asbestos contact your insurance company, local government environmental health officer or Department of Health on 9388 4999 or after hours on 9328 0553
