May 11th 2024.
A town in Western Australia's south west is currently facing a massive clean-up operation following a devastating tornado that swept through the area. The powerful storm, with winds reaching over 150 kilometers per hour, caused significant damage to homes and community buildings, leaving approximately 2000 homes without power. The tornado, measuring 60 meters wide, struck the suburb of Withers in Bunbury at around 4pm yesterday, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
Emergency services received 146 calls for assistance and it has been reported that around 40 homes have suffered damage. Fortunately, there have been no fatalities and only two minor injuries have been reported in the affected area. However, the scale of the damage is immense and emergency crews have called for additional support to aid in the clean-up process.
Residents who were impacted by the tornado are now faced with the challenge of finding temporary accommodation while their homes are being repaired. It is estimated that those who are still without power may have to wait until Sunday afternoon before their electricity is restored. The tornado may have only lasted four minutes, but it caused chaos and fear as it swept through the town, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
The impact of the tornado was especially traumatic for children, who were forced to seek shelter when the PCYC building they were in was torn in half by the fierce winds. The roof of the building collapsed, causing a hazardous situation as it was found to contain asbestos. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has issued a hazmat warning for the area surrounding the PCYC building and is working to ensure the safety of the community.
The tornado also caused significant damage to the Bunbury Regional Prison, lifting the roof off one building and damaging two others. As a result, 17 inmates had to be relocated to other facilities. The corrective services minister, Paul Papalia, described the event as "incredibly confronting and traumatic" and praised the efforts of emergency services in responding to the disaster. The clean-up efforts are now underway, but it is clear that it will be a long and challenging process for the affected residents and the community as a whole.
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