SES stretched to limits as Perth is lashed by storms
Who in their right mind volunteers to be an SES member??
The storms hit Perth Metro area early on Thursday afternoon. Since then, more than 250 SES volunteers have responded to more than 330 callouts, combining more than 2000 hours of rescue efforts. And all this whilst everyone else watched the storm whilst going about their normal routine. These volunteers must be mad, or possibly even crazy? Perhaps. But one thing is for sure, they are our unsung hero's - our white knights. Thank god for the SES.
The destructive storms that lashed Perth last week caused extensive damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure. The storms knocked out traffic lights and at the height of the storm left more than 60,000 homes blacked out without power.
Wind gusts exceeding 100 kilometres an hour have torn roofs off buildings and uprooted trees. Roads and railways were closed after trees fell across highways and railway lines.
Nick Elliott, Deputy Local Manager of Northshore SES says that the storms have caused significant damage in and around Perth. "Our unit has been called out to dozens of properties in the area - Perth CBD, Cottesloe, Claremont, Mosman Park, Swanbourne, Floreat.... every area has been affected".
Rising tides have battered some of Perth landmarks – The historic pylon at Cottesloe Beach was knocked down overnight, with onlookers today describing conditions at the beach as fierce. High seas meant water was lapping at the surf club, and the beach had disappeared under the water.
SES volunteers spent more than 2000 hours helping the community. The majority of jobs involved removing fallen trees from homes, cars, fences and power lines. Central Perth was badly affected, followed by Canning, Rockingham and Stirling.
Perth Metro SES operations manager Glenn Hall said most of the call outs related to localised flooding and trees falling over roads.
