Western Australia Spring Storm – Hail, Winds Batter Perth Hills

A severe thunderstorm struck Perth’s eastern suburbs and hills on Tuesday, January 2024, delivering large hailstones, damaging winds, and heavy rainfall across Western Australia. The storm caused widespread property damage, blocked roads with fallen trees, and left approximately 27,000 homes and businesses without power.

Emergency services received over 50 calls for assistance from 8:30am as the weather system developed rapidly following a week of high temperatures. The Bureau of Meteorology issued severe thunderstorm warnings at 12:30pm, forecasting golf ball-sized hail and destructive winds for multiple suburbs including Mundaring, Parkerville, and Northam.

By afternoon, the storm had cleared Greater Perth, though Department of Fire and Emergency Services continued coordinating responses to damaged infrastructure. No casualties were reported, though recovery costs and insurance totals remain unconfirmed.

What caused the widespread damage across Perth’s eastern suburbs?

Key impacts at a glance

• Temperature context: The storm followed immediately after a week of high temperatures across the region.
• Hail severity: Warnings predicted hailstones comparable to golf balls, though specific measurements were not recorded in post-event reports.
• Power disruption: Approximately 27,000 homes and businesses in Perth Hills lost electricity due to damaged poles and wires.
• Emergency volume: DFES received more than 50 requests for assistance between 8:30am and the storm’s conclusion.
• Road impacts: Main Roads deployed cleanup crews to clear trees from roads in Muchea, Mundaring, Karragullen, and Gidgegannup.
• Restoration target: Western Power projected 8pm for power restoration, though some areas experienced delays.
• Casualty status: No injuries or fatalities were reported in available documentation.

How did the storm develop throughout the day?

Morning onset and initial emergency calls

The weather system began impacting the region from 8:30am, with emergency services fielding requests regarding damaged homes, properties, and roads. Residents reported uprooted trees and debris across multiple suburbs, prompting immediate assessments by DFES crews.

Bureau warnings and storm progression

At 12:30pm, the Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm warning specifically naming Lower Chittering and Red Hill as immediate risk areas. By 1:05pm, the system tracking indicated the storm would reach Brigadoon, Bulls Brook, and Gidgegannup. Thirty minutes later, at 1:35pm, the warning expanded to include Ellenbrook, Kalamunda, Midland, Mundaring, and Wundowie.

Peak impact in the hills

The afternoon hours saw the most intense activity across Perth Hills and Northam, where hailstones and winds battered structures. Video footage from January 12, 2024 captured lightning and the storm drifting across residential areas, illustrating the system’s scale as it moved through the region.

Which areas and services were most affected?

Property damage across the hills

Homes and infrastructure sustained damage primarily from fallen trees, hail impact, and flying debris. The suburbs of Mundaring, Parkerville, and Stoneville reported significant tree losses, while Northam experienced direct hail damage to properties and vehicles.

Power outages and restoration efforts

Western Power managed outages affecting approximately 27,000 customers in the Perth Hills region. The utility prioritized hazard response—securing damaged poles and downed wires—before commencing systematic repairs. While restoration was initially projected for 8pm, some areas experienced delays into the evening.

Road closures and tree clearing

Main Roads responded to multiple blockages caused by uprooted trees in Muchea, Mundaring, Karragullen, and Gidgegannup. Cleanup crews worked concurrently with the storm’s progression to restore arterial routes, though secondary roads remained hazardous through the early evening.

How did authorities coordinate the emergency response?

Meteorological monitoring

The Bureau of Meteorology maintained continuous tracking of the cell, issuing updates as the system traversed the metropolitan fringe.

Inter-agency coordination

DFES integrated meteorological data with ground reports from field crews to prioritize responses. Western Power adopted a safety-first approach, isolating damaged network sections before restoration work began. Main Roads maintained traffic management protocols while awaiting clearance of fallen vegetation.

Summary

The January 2024 thunderstorm delivered a concentrated impact across Perth’s eastern suburbs and hills, with hail, wind, and rain causing extensive tree damage and power outages affecting 27,000 properties. Emergency services responded to over 50 assistance requests, with power restoration extending into the evening. The event highlighted the vulnerability of hillside infrastructure to severe weather cells moving inland from the coast.

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