Perth storms: 16,000 homes without power or access to triple-0 two days after wild thunderstorms

Thousands of WA residents remain without power, or access to triple-0, two days after a wild storm ripped through the State.

About 34,000 were left without power after wind gusts over 100km/h brought down trees and power lines in the Wheatbelt and Perth Hills on Tuesday.

On Thursday morning, about 16,000 homes are still cut off, with Western Power crews scrambling to fix more than 80 hazards.

Western Power said its crews are prioritising critical infrastructure in areas where hospital and other emergency services are located.

“We know that there are still some customers who are without power following other severe weather (bushfire, storms and heatwave) conditions which occurred prior to the storm, rest assured we know your outages have been extended and frustrating and we are working hard to restore you as soon as we can,” a statement from the utility said.

About 18,000 homes have had power restored since the storm and more than 23,000 calls have been put through to Western Power’s customer service line.

Adding to the mayhem, residents in the Wheatbelt region also remain unable to reach emergency services via triple-0.

A Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokeswoman said widespread power outages were affecting fixed telephone lines, ADSL, NBN and mobile services.

“Services affected include triple-0 calls, Emergency WA alerts and warnings, telephone warning system and turnout notifications for emergency services volunteers,” the Department said.

“We urge people who are impacted by these outages to tune in to their local ABC Radio station using a battery-operated radio for the latest information while technicians work to restore services in the area.

“If you cannot make a triple-0 call, drive to your nearest police or emergency service station.”

WA Police said its assistance line is also unable to be reached by some Wheatbelt residents.

Locals are being urged to rally around each other and offer support to vulnerable people until the outage is fixed.

The summer storm front lashed the Perth Hills and Wheatbelt on Tuesday afternoon and has continued to move through the State.

Bureau of Meteorology duty forecaster Katherine Schelfhout on Wednesday said the storm front would continue to move further inland and south.