Fierce Weather in W.Australia wreaks havoc
Pastor Dale Morgan
Fierce Weather in W.Australia wreaks havoc*
June 10, 2008 08:44am
Article from: AAP
PATIOS, sheds and trampolines became missiles when a tornado smashed its
way through southern Perth.
Winds in excess of 100 km/h yesterday ripped roofs off houses and caused
widespread blackouts, mainly around Rockingham, about 50km south of Perth.
About 50 elderly residents of the Tanby Hall hostel near Rockingham were
evacuated as winds tore off the building's roof and water poured in
yesterday morning.
No injuries were reported.
Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) spokesman Glenn Hall said
today that more than 40 homes in Rockingham had lost part or all of
their roofs.
"The problem that we've seen is that light objects such as patios and
sheds and trampolines have become missiles, further exacerbating the
damage," Mr Hall said on Channel 9.
FESA had received 270 calls for assistance with 213 coming from the
Rockingham area.
"So, they've certainly borne the brunt of the system," Mr Hall said.
A Bureau of Meteorology spokesman said winds reached 104 km/h at Ocean
Reef in Perth's north, and would have been much stronger in Rockingham.
"We had at least one tornado confirmed in Rockingham, just on the damage
trail from it," the spokesman said last night.
Western Power said 12,000 homes were left without power, with about half
of those in Rockingham.