STORMS, torrential rain and gale force winds buffeted the South West on Sunday night, causing widespread damage and flooding.
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Preston River burst its banks for the second time in six weeks during the storm, both as a result of the rainfall and a burst dam in Beelerup which flowed across Dawson Road into the path of the river. Dawson Road was closed during the morning.
The Balingup Brook ran high enough to submerge the footbridge over the walk trail near the soccer oval.
Donnybrook-Balingup Shire CEO John Attwood said there was tree damage on most roads throughout the Shire. He said all Shire crews and some local contractors were working hard to make them safe.
“Not every road will be 100 per cent cleared today, but we will try and get it done today and tomorrow,” he said.
The Donnybrook SES were called out at 1am to a house which had lost its roof in Mumballup.
SES volunteer Carol Vickridge said the team had to cut through five big trees that had fallen across the road before they could get to the job. They did not get back until 11.15 on Monday morning, after which they headed to home to rest before another storm forecast for Monday night.
Over 5,000 people in Bridgetown and Manjimup were reportedly without power on Monday morning after a main line was damaged. A repeater station at Sutton’s lookout was also damaged, leaving most of Bridgetown with no mobile phone signals.
Power fluctuated repeatedly in the Newlands and Kirup area overnight. Balingup was without power on Monday morning.
Greenbushes Resident Andrew White said the storm brought the worst winds to Greenbushes he’d seen in a long time.
A big tree in Pioneer Park, Greenbushes, was uprooted during the storm. A number of big trees were also brought down on the South Western Highway between Greenbushes and Donnybrook.
More bad weather is forecast for tonight.
