Electrical storm in Western Australia cripples power supply network

O3 Feb, Perth

An electrical storm over the southern half of Western Australia overnight has uprooted trees, brought down power lines and cut electricity to 13,000 homes.

Western Power said the worst affected area in Perth was along Roe Highway from Welshpool to Fremantle where blackouts affected 8,000 properties. Outside the city the worst affected area is between Lancelin and Geraldton, particularly Moora.

Western Power said blackouts in that region were still affecting more than 4,000 customers. Crews have worked throughout the night and that number is now down to slightly more than 1,000. Perth recorded 11 millimeters of rain overnight, taking the total for the past two days to more than 21 millimeters.