Seniors Lucky to Escape as Tree Crushes Car on South West Highway
A harrowing incident unfolded this afternoon on a major highway in Western Australia’s South West, where a tree dramatically fell onto a car, fortunately resulting in only minor injuries for the elderly occupants. The couple, both in their 70s, were travelling along Bussell Highway near the intersection with Roy Road in Metricup around 1:30pm when the incident occurred. The tree is understood to have landed directly on the hood of their vehicle, which was travelling at the designated 110-kilometre-per-hour speed limit.
Emergency services responded swiftly, with police confirming that the male driver was transported to Busselton Health Campus. He sustained minor injuries, marking a fortunate outcome given the severity of the event. This close call served as a stark reminder of the powerful weather conditions lashing the region.
WA Braces for Rare and Destructive Storm
The tree incident occurred as Perth and other parts of the state’s south were bracing for what meteorologists described as “rarely experienced” destructive weather. A severe storm system intensified on Sunday evening, bringing with it the potential for significant disruption.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issued a dire warning, indicating that a deep low-pressure system, possessing a strength typically witnessed only once every three to five years, was set to unleash wind gusts exceeding 125 kilometres per hour. This dangerous weather was forecast to impact areas south-west of a line stretching from Lancelin to Albany, crucially including the metropolitan area of Perth.
Senior meteorologist Joey Rawson highlighted the unusual intensity of the system. “The low-pressure system that’s producing these exceptionally windy conditions is more intense than usual … we won’t see an event like this for a number of years,” Rawson stated. While he noted that accompanying showers would be heavy but fast-moving, he emphasised that the primary threat to the Western Australian community was unequivocally the wind.
In response to the escalating threat, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) issued a public warning urging residents to seek shelter. The warning cautioned that the “rarely experienced winds may bring down trees, branches and powerlines and loose items or debris may become airborne.”
Despite the severe weather warnings, a planned AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and Essendon proceeded at Perth Stadium as scheduled, kicking off at 5:20pm.
Overnight Wild Weather Leaves Trail of Damage
The wild weather didn’t spare Western Australia overnight, with southern parts of the state, including Perth, experiencing significant disruption on Saturday night. A cold front swept across the west coast, leading to widespread power outages affecting thousands of homes.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services reported a substantial workload, receiving 356 calls for assistance. The majority of these calls originated from Perth, with common issues including fallen trees, damage to roofs, and water ingress into properties.
The most extreme wind gust recorded was at Cape Leeuwin, where a reading of 117 kilometres per hour was registered just before 6am on Sunday.
Flooding and Maritime Mishaps Amidst the Storm
The intense storm also brought localized flooding to parts of Perth. Riverside Drive in the Perth CBD and Claisebrook Cove in East Perth were among the areas experiencing minor inundation. In the 24 hours leading up to 9am on Sunday, the city received 19.6 millimetres of rain.
Further south, Busselton Airport recorded a more substantial rainfall of 51mm by 9am. This increased rainfall, combined with high tides, resulted in the submersion of the iconic Busselton Jetty’s enclosed swimming space, often referred to as the “horseshoe jetty.”
Albany also experienced some localized flooding, having received 16.4mm of rain by 9am.
In a dramatic display of the storm’s power, a yacht was washed ashore near the Quindalup boat ramp in the South West. Brett Ladhams, skipper of Naturaliste Volunteer Marine Rescue, recounted the incident. The yacht’s owners had ventured out to secure their vessel ahead of the storm, hoping it would withstand the conditions.
“[The owners] were hoping the yacht would ride out the storm, but they didn’t want to be on board,” Mr Ladhams explained. He noted the significant distance the yacht had been displaced, moving “inshore from about 300 metres off the shore and probably another 500 metres up the beach.”
Mr Ladhams elaborated on the forces involved: “To break a mooring, wind and wave action will tear rope and chain and things like that.” He added a note of relief, stating, “The lucky thing was there was only really one yacht in the bay … there’s often still two dozen boats in the bay and that causes a lot of damage.”
