Story perspectives

Western Australia Hit by 49-Year Storm, 160 k Outages

6/1/2026

Summary

Western Australia Endures Storm

Western Australia endured its strongest weather system in 49 years, with a 135 km/h gust at Cape Naturaliste setting a May record.
The storm cut power to about 160,000 homes, left 34,000 in darkness Monday afternoon, and forced four flights to divert from Perth to Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
Erosion stripped 45 metres of sand at Lancelin Sands Hotel and 20 tonnes at Port Beach, prompting coastal warnings from Windy Harbour to Israelite Bay.

Summary

Western Australia Battles Storm

The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts below-average rainfall for southern central and eastern Australia (June–August).
DFES issued a “stay safe” warning urging residents to shelter.
Western Power expects to restore the 175 outages by night between 6:30 pm and 7 pm.
Meteorologist Joey Rawson warned wind gusts could reach 120-130 kph.
Emergency WA identified trees and debris as cause of power-line damage, coordinating with Western Power to isolate and backfeed the network.

Summary

Police Rescue

Police volunteers rescued an 11-year-old autistic boy after an eight-hour search.
Fire and Emergency Services logged 120 calls about fallen trees, roof damage, water intrusion.
Minor flooding in Perth’s CBD stranded cars and submerged walkways after 19.6 mm rain.
Spectators at the Eagles-Essendon AFL match at Optus Stadium were urged to secure items and expect disruptions.
Authorities warned residents to avoid water as tides and eight-metre surf could sweep them away.

Summary

Brett Ladhams Rescues

A tree fell onto a car on Bussell Highway in Metricup at 1:30 pm, sending the driver to hospital with injury and prompting towing.
Brett Ladhams, of Naturaliste Volunteer Marine Rescue, rescued yacht owners after the vessel was driven ashore near Quindalup boat ramp.
Tides and rain flooded the horseshoe jetty at Busselton Airport, breached the river at Claisebrook Cove in East Perth, and flooded Albany’s Lower King Esplanade.

History

Historical Context

On 25 December 1974 Cyclone Tracy slammed Darwin, destroying over 70 % of its buildings and killing 66 people, prompting federal authorities to evacuate tens of thousands and leading to stricter building codes. The disaster’s legacy shaped today’s coordinated response, as Emergency WA and the Bureau of Meteorology issue alerts and mobilise resources during the current Western Australia windstorm.

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Western Australia Endures Storm

Western Australia endured its strongest weather system in 49 years, with a 135 km/h gust at Cape Naturaliste setting a May record.
The storm cut power to about 160,000 homes, left 34,000 in darkness Monday afternoon, and forced four flights to divert from Perth to Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
Erosion stripped 45 metres of sand at Lancelin Sands Hotel and 20 tonnes at Port Beach, prompting coastal warnings from Windy Harbour to Israelite Bay.

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