Torrential
rain, winds up to 109kph and monster waves hit Western Australia,
leaving 60,000 homes without power as east coast basks in sunshine
- Australian west coast is forced to bunker down as storms lash Perth
- Heavy rain, 110km/h winds and massive ocean swells have been recorded
- 60,000 homes are without power and SES has received dozens of calls
- Meanwhile, east coast capital cities continue to bathe in sunshine
- Second storm of similar severity is expected to hit west coast on Tuesday
21 May, 2016
Australia's
west coast has been forced to bunker down as heavy rain, 110km/h
winds and massive ocean swells lash the south-west corner of the
country while Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane continue to bathe in
sunshine.
About
60,000 homes in Perth and the south-west region are without power and
the SES had received 70 calls for assistance this morning as fallen
trees and wind caused damage across the city.
The
strongest cold front of the year arrived at the southern half of
Western Australia about midnight, bringing with it severe wind gusts
and torrential rain.
Cape Leeuwin, south of Perth was the first to
record strong wind gusts up to 94km/h at 1:50am, followed by 109 km/h
at Rottnest Island, at 5:30am and seaside suburbs of Perth
experiencing 109 km/h winds at 7am.
Amid
concerns for potential flash flooding, heavy rain was also recorded
overnight with towns south of Perth, Witchcliffe and Bridgetown
receiving 56mm and 52mm respectively.
Australia's
west coast has been forced to bunker down as heavy rain, 110km/h
winds and massive ocean swells lash the south-west corner of the
country
The
strongest cold front of the year arrived at the southern half of
Western Australia about midnight, bringing with it severe wind gusts
and torrential rain
Authorities
issued a warning for the region and urged people to steer clear of
any water bodies and take shelter within homes - away from trees,
power lines, storm water drains and streams
Saturday
sports matches were put on notice and people were advised to contact
their sports clubs for advice on whether games would go head
The
monster storm was preceded with abnormally high tide earlier this
week, with surfers riding waves of up to seven metres high.
The
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has issued a warning
for the region and urged people to steer clear of any water bodies
and take shelter within homes - away from trees, power lines, storm
water drains and streams.
Saturday
sports matches were put on notice and people were advised to contact
their sports clubs for advice on whether games would go head.
'Post-frontal
conditions will come through this afternoon, which include
thunderstorms, chance of small hail and severe gusts continuing,'
Bureau of Meterology forecaster Meaghan Johnston said.
The
extreme Western Australia weather pattern shows no sign of letting up
with a second storm expected to blast the coast again on Tuesday,
with waves again expected to reach in excess of six meters.
'We
experience winds like this about five times a year in Perth,' Ms
Johnston said.
'We
do have another system expected on the Tuesday, from what we can see
it is quite similar.'
Weather
maps show the massive storm front battering Australia's west coast,
while the east coast remains mostly sunny
Amid
concerns for potential flash flooding, heavy rain was also recorded
overnight with towns south of Perth, Witchcliffe and Bridgetown
receiving 56mm and 52mm respectively
Surfers
are taking advantage of the swell the storm has brought along the
coast, ignoring warnings from authorities about the dangerous
conditions.
Surf
Life Saving WA warned residents of the 'dangerous conditions on our
coast this weekend' in a tweet on Friday.
Perth
maximum temperatures are expected to remain between 18 and 20 degrees
for the next seven days.
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