Perth and WA weather: Possible ‘tornado’ in Perth Hills leaves path of destruction
![Scenes from Roleystone after a damaging storm hit last night.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-15449338/ed802f6a4d8211bd6505b25adf3d052c3e1461b4-16x9-x0y152w2937h1652.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
Perth’s south-eastern suburbs copped the brunt of a short-lived but fierce storm overnight — and possible tornado — which tore roofs off properties, felled several trees and left more than 1600 homes without power.
Severe thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rainfall lashed swathes of south-eastern Perth, with the worst of the damage occurring between 12.30am and 1.30am.
More than 1600 homes and businesses lost power in Roleystone at the peak of the storm, with upwards of 200 yet to have their power restored.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services issued an alert just before 12.30am Tuesday morning warning residents from Henderson, Anketell, Byford and Jandakot out to Armadale, Seville Grove and surrounding suburbs of incoming severe weather.
Homes and cars were damaged, with some waking to find their cars skewered by trees.
A DFES spokesman said emergency services received 35 calls for help from 7pm Monday night until about noon on Tuesday.
And there were about half a dozen reports of fallen trees on powerlines, two of which were in Roleystone.
![Damage in Roleystone.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-15449338/202d385af1483c8a9f078b235eae28aa22aacfab.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
![A DFES spokesman said emergency services received 35 calls for help from 7pm Monday night until about noon on Tuesday.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-15449338/820d4b82e0f01ab0e796314f31b077d3ea064d52.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
A meteorologist with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services was on the scene in Roleystone assessing whether reports of a possible “tornado” have any merit.
A Bureau of Meteorology spokeswoman said in order to confirm the occurrence of a tornado, there needs to be “evidence of rotation” — whether that be on weather radars or in patterns of damage.
The Irymple Orchard cherry farm in Roleystone woke to a big clean-up job, with the roof of one of the farm’s main warehouses ripped off completely in the storm.
Debbie Bettenay — whose family has lived at the cherry farm since 1901 — was asleep in her house when the storm came tearing through.
![Debbie Bettenay — whose family has lived at the cherry farm since 1901 — was asleep in her house when the storm came tearing through.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-15449338/b66e7b378f5107b49ad8d66bb007fa2342212353.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
Ms Bettenay said she heard some strong winds and rain during the night but was shocked to see the huge amount of damage in the morning.
“I felt the wind really, a very strong wind and very heavy rain. That’s all I detected,” she said.
“When I opened the curtains I could see the shed had just exploded.
“I’d say it’s wrecked. A third of the roof is off.”
![Power lines are repaired on Hawkstone Rd. Michael Wilson](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-15449338/e508ab902dafd163008a5600e9a8798b652c65b3.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
![Parts of the shed’s roof was thrown about 100m away and up the hill on the property.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-15449338/42cdb9d08f9ff3dd5ed57cc3e6758819da6feb2a.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
Such was the ferocity of those winds, parts of the shed’s roof was thrown about 100m away and up the hill on the property.
“The shed was 60 years old, I’m upset about the shed but I’m crying for the trees,” Ms Bettenay said.
“All of these beautiful 100 year old Jarrah tress are gone. I’d say about 20 plus.”
The Bettenay family posted to social media Tuesday afternoon, advising that — amazingly — its 124-year-old shed that houses a vintage truck was left relatively unscathed.
“The older buildings: the 124 year old shed where the vintage truck is, the old homestead and the old dairy, are hardly damaged,” the post read.
“Lots of trees down — but thanks to some hard working locals — the driveway is clear. What a very adventurous off cherry season we have had! See you all when the cherries arrive in early November (fingers crossed no more incidents)!!!!!!”
![Part of a carport pierced a resident’s car windscreen.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-15449338/92af2a183b18ae6d3f2899266e5ca84b21dbe20a.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
Hawkstone Road also copped the brunt of the tornado’s impact.
Trees in the street came down onto properties and cars.
A pergola at one property was also thrown into the backyard of a neighbouring house.
One resident of the street said the tree falling down on her house made a terrible banging noise.
“I was fast asleep when I heard a terrible banging and crashing noise,” she said.
“I got up and went into our computer room and there was water just gushing through a big hole in the tiles.
“It was scary.”
The City of Armadale’s front reception was also flooded, with the city advising it would be closed both Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Bureau of Meteorology said the inclement weather was due to “a moist airmass and a trough ahead of a cold front”.
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