Rare Storm In Australia Leaves 50,000 People Without Power

A video circulating on the Internet showed gusts of winds, some reportedly recorded as high as 72 mph in a number of areas, sweeping up large tracks of dust covering entire towns. According to reports, the video of the weather phenomenon was recorded in Western Australia and was brought about by a rare storm, cutting off power and some areas.

Rare Weather Event

A weather event, described by some as a once-in-a-decade type of storm, developed in Western Australia and cut off the power of some 50,000 people living in the area. According to Jon Broomhall, acting assistant commissioner of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services in Western Australia, a weather event of this kind only happens once every 10 years.

Severe weather advisories were already in place Sunday as thousands of Australians prepared for the oncoming storm system. The Bureau of Meteorology said that the storm, which brings deadly winds and surging tides, is a remnant of former Tropical Cyclone Mangga. The weather agency also warned that those living on the coast between Augusta and Kalbarri may see dangerous storm tides and destructive flooding well into Sunday.

From The Northwest

Broomhall revealed that under normal circumstances, Australian storms come from the southwest. This one, however, will come from the northwest, meaning it can test unsecured buildings, sheds, and other structures built by those living in the area. “So we’re asking people to secure property and make sure everything loose is tied down,” Broomhall said.

The Bureau of Meteorology revealed that gustiness was as high as 72mph in Gooseberry Hilly while in Rottnest Island, wind gustiness was around 68mph. Large swaths of dust being picked up by the wind were recorded in Northampton and Geraldton. There were already reports of businesses and homes across the region being damaged as the storm continue to unleash its wrath into the night.

No Power

Western Power, an electric utility company, owned by the Western Australian government, reported that around 50,000 of its consumers were without power Sunday. Utility officials blamed debris, swept up by gales, hurtled toward their power lines, and damaged their equipment.

The utility company, in a statement, said they already have 70 crews working on the damage, but customers should expect to go without power overnight. “We will not attempt any repair work during the storm because operating elevated work platforms (cherrypickers) and other equipment is not safe to do so because of the dangerous winds,” the power utility company noted.