Cars stuck in flooded tunnel in Claremont
Heavy rainfall across Perth on Saturday morning led to significant flooding, trapping people in their vehicles and inundating homes. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) was called to rescue two individuals from their cars in Claremont after they became stuck in a flooded railway underpass on Shenton Road. The incident occurred shortly after 10:30 am, with emergency services successfully retrieving the first person by 11:00 am. The second person was freed after a more prolonged effort, and fortunately, neither suffered any injuries.
Meanwhile, further south in Mandurah, three homes on Beam Road were overwhelmed by floodwaters. Local resident Jay described the scene on Moat Street, where children were seen playing in a kayak amidst the flood. “My street was flooded due to the heavy downpour,” he explained. “I came from work this morning expecting it to be flooded, and there were some local kids taking advantage of the situation.” Jay noted that Moat Street frequently experiences flash flooding due to a problematic drainage system.
Severe Weather Impacts Across Perth
Perth was battered by rain as a cold front swept through the southwestern part of Western Australia. The storm brought strong winds, which posed additional hazards. Fremantle resident Colin Regan recounted a close call at Port Beach when a 30-foot-high concrete lamp post fell near his parked car. “If I parked a few meters behind, the car would’ve been destroyed, and it would’ve killed me for sure,” Regan said, reflecting on the narrow escape.
The overnight deluge also affected local sports and recreational activities. Community ovals and golf courses were submerged, leading to the cancellation of numerous sports matches. The Royal Perth Golf Club had to evacuate golfers from the fairway just before midday due to flooding. “The course will be closed today after this morning’s heavy rain,” the club announced on Facebook.
Wind gusts reached up to 50 km/h in Ocean Reef and 56 km/h on Rottnest Island, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Community Response and Safety Measures
The severe weather prompted various community responses. The Wanneroo City Soccer Club canceled all Saturday matches, citing the poor condition of their pitches. “With no sign of the rain easing up, all today’s games at Wanneroo are postponed,” they stated. Similarly, the Forrestfield Bowling Club humorously suggested offering swimming lessons after their lawn turned into a makeshift pool. “Bowls have been canceled for this afternoon,” they posted. “However, if interested, water polo can be arranged, alongside swimming lessons.”
The Bureau of Meteorology warned of a second, stronger cold front expected on Sunday, bringing with it damaging winds and thunderstorms. By 4:00 pm on Saturday, Perth had recorded 16.8 mm of rain since 9:00 am, with Serpentine experiencing 23 mm and Mandurah 6.6 mm, despite the flash flooding.
The State Emergency Services team responded to 32 calls since midnight Friday, primarily from the Mandurah and Secret Harbour regions, reporting water ingress, flooding, and roof damage.
Looking Ahead: Preparing for More Severe Weather
DFES has issued coastal hazard advice for the Perth metropolitan area, the southwest, and parts of the midwest Gascoyne. “You need to act now and stay safe with severe weather forecast including damaging surf from Sunday morning,” the warning stated. Areas potentially affected include Bunbury, Mandurah, Jurien Bay, Lancelin, Rottnest Island, Yanchep, and City of Perth beaches.
As Perth braces for the upcoming cold front, residents are urged to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety. The community’s resilience and preparedness will be crucial in mitigating the impact of the severe weather conditions expected to continue over the weekend.
