A ‘vigorous’ storm that hit WA on Saturday prompted more than 200 calls to emergency services as roofs were ripped off venues and trees fell on homes and cars.
Wind gusts of more than 100km/h were recorded in North Island and Rottnest Island, while Wilyabrup, in Busselton, recorded almost 30mm of rain in 30 minutes.
An evacuation centre has been set up at South West Sports Centre in Bunbury, and take action warnings are in place for South West, South Coastal and Lower West districts, particularly Albany, Bunbury, Busselton, Mandurah, Margaret River and Walpole.
“A gusty west to southwesterly airstream is expected to persist about the coastal strip south of Mandurah and the South West and South Coastal districts into this evening,” Emergency WA said in a statement.
Dangerous winds are expected to ease in most districts by mid-morning on Sunday, but, damaging wind gusts along the coastal strip south of Mandurah and in the southwest and south coastal districts could persist into the evening.
“This weather is not unusual for this time of year, but could damage homes and make travel dangerous,” Emergency WA said.
– with AAP