Storms are most prevalent in Perth and the South West of Western Australia during the winter months and in the north west of Western Australia during the summer months.
Precautions
- Prune any tree branches well clear of your house.
- Clean out your gutters and downpipes.
- Secure garden furniture and loose outdoor objects.
- Prepare an emergency kit containing a battery operated radio, torch and a first aid kit.
- Check that your insurance is valid and you are adequately covered for storm damage.
At Home
- Stay inside and avoid being too close to the windows.
- Listen to your battery powered portable radio for storm updates.
- If your house starts to sustain damage move to the strongest part of the house such as the cellar, internal room, hall way or even a built-in wardrobe.
- Un-plug all electrical items, including your television aerial and computer modem.
- Keep clear of all windows, keep the curtains or blinds closed and stay away from any metal pipes or fixtures.
- Do not touch any brick or concrete surfaces and try to wear shoes at all times.
After
- Check your house for any damage.
- Listen to your radio for any further weather warnings.
- Beware of any fallen powerlines that may still be live, fallen trees or damaged buildings.
- If you need emergency assistance contact the State Emergency Service on 1300 130 039.
Lightning Protection Tips
- Seek shelter in either a vehicle or a solid building. If sheltering in a vehicle do not touch anything metallic.
- Never shelter under trees.
- If you are far away from any shelter, crouch down low (but do not lie down) preferably in a hollow trying to be lower than any objects around you. Remove any metal objects from your body.
- Stay away from metal structures such as fences or clotheslines.
A severe thunderstorm, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, is one which produces hail bigger than a two dollar coin, contains wind gusts greater than 90km/h, causes flash floods and/or tornadoes, or is a combination of any of these
Disclaimer
This information is provided by Royal Automobile Club (WA) Inc (RAC) voluntarily as a public service. It has been prepared in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate at the time of publication. Nonetheless, the reliability and accuracy of the information cannot be guaranteed and the RAC expressly disclaims liability for any act or omission done or not done in reliance on the information and for any consequences, whether direct or indirect, arising from such act or omission. This information is intended to be a guide only and readers should obtain their own independent advice and their own necessary inquiries.