Downpour breaks 10-year record
UPDATE 1.25pm: Perth has experienced its wettest August day in a decade with more than 45mm of rainfall recorded overnight.
In the 24 hours to 9am moderate to heavy rainfalls in the Perth metropolitan area saw 45.4mm recorded, just falling short of the 48.4mm recorded on August 11, 2003.
The city’s wettest August day was on August 14, 1945 when 73.9mm fell.
Minor flooding that slowed peak-hour traffic yesterday was just the beginning of a steady downpour.
Bickley has received 78.2mm of rainfall since 9am yesterday, while 51mm fell in Jandakot, 47.4mm in Champion Lakes and 48.4mm at Gingin Airport.
Bickley also topped the city wind speeds with 70km/h just before 5pm but Mandurah had gusts to 83km/h and Cape Leeuwin recorded 87km/h.
In the South West, Harvey had 36mm of rain overnight, Walpole North 30.6mm and Collie East 27.2mm.
Drivers are being asked to leave extra distance between cars, turn their headlights on and allow for extra travel time this morning.
Main Roads has warned potholes on North Lake Road in Bibra Lake and Roe Highway in Forrestfield are causing traffic delays.
There were reports of flooding in Spearwood this morning as well as rivers breaking banks in State’s South West.
The State Emergency Service responded to about 12 callouts overnight.
A house lost tiles in Bayswater and another a skylight in Applecross while residents in Dianella, Trigg and Wembley Downs experienced leaking ceilings.
South West residents are braced for flooding after days of rain with warnings between Bunbury, Harvey, Donnybrook and Busselton.
The heavy downpour is expected to ease to isolated showers in Perth this afternoon as the rain moves inland.
