A significant cleanup operation is currently underway across Western Australia following the impact of a second microburst in a matter of weeks, which severely affected the south-west region. The storm first struck Perth, causing substantial damage by ripping roofs off homes and uprooting trees before moving south to Albany, where it unleashed a record-breaking amount of rain.
Albany experienced an astonishing 126mm of rainfall within 24 hours, marking its highest ever recorded rainfall, as the intense weather system progressed through the area. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, this deluge was the result of the microburst, akin to the one that hit Perth three weeks earlier. Microbursts are powerful downdrafts from storm clouds that can deliver heavy rainfall along with fierce winds.
In Gooseberry Hill, wind speeds soared to 113km/h, contributing to downed power lines and fallen trees as the storm wreaked havoc. Local resident John Roberts described the terrifying experience of the lightning strikes and the noise, prompting him to seek shelter in his garage. His home was one of three in the Perth suburb that suffered significant roof damage, leaving him uncertain about the future of his residence due to extensive water and wind damage.
Over 200 State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers have been deployed since the storm, responding to approximately 271 requests for assistance from affected residents. The storm’s brief but powerful devastation has created a situation that will likely take months to resolve, as communities across the region come together to recover from the chaos left in the wake of the storm.