‘Once-in-five-year storm’ wreaks havoc on Perth, 70,000 remain without power
Topic: generalRegion: asia pacificUpdated: i1 outletsSources: 1Spectrum: Left OnlyFiltered: Asia (1/1)· Clear⏱ 3 min read⚠ 3d+ old
Story Summary
SITUATION
A severe storm swept through Perth, leaving over 69,000 homes without power. Emergency WA alerts indicate that many customers may face extended outages overnight.
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KEY FACTS
- The highest number of calls for help were in the Perth metropolitan area, followed by Peel and the South West region.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
In late May 2026, a severe storm struck Perth, Western Australia, resulting in significant disruption and leaving approximately 70,000 homes without power. This storm was characterized as a ‘once-in-five-year’ event, marked by destructive winds and heavy rainfall that caused extensive damage across the region.
The immediate aftermath saw emergency services inundated with calls for help, particularly from the Perth metropolitan area, as well as the Peel and South West regions. The context for such extreme weather events can be traced back to broader climatic changes observed over the past few decades.
Brief
A severe storm, described as a 'once-in-every-five-year' event, has left over 69,000 homes in Perth without power following destructive winds that swept through the region. The storm generated cyclone-grade wind gusts, with Cape Leeuwin recording a peak of 135km/h, leading to widespread damage across Western Australia.
Emergency services reported that 6 percent of the state’s electricity grid was disconnected, affecting thousands of customers, particularly in the Perth metropolitan area. Residents have been advised to prepare for extended outages, with many expected to remain without power overnight.
The storm caused significant structural damage, including the loss of roofs from buildings in Cottesloe and Bunbury. As the community grapples with the aftermath, Western Power is prioritizing safety and responding to reported hazards.
The storm's intensity and the resulting outages highlight the increasing frequency of severe weather events in the region, raising concerns about infrastructure resilience and emergency preparedness.
Sources
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