Perth residents left terrified after tornado tore through neighbourhood uprooting trees & damaging homes

Terrified residents in Perth’s southern suburbs said it felt like a tornado tore through their neighbourhoods after a severe thunderstorm smashed through power lines, uprooted trees and damaged homes.

Emergency Services fielded more than 180 calls for assistance across WA, mostly for roof damage and trees across roads, with 130 of those calls in the metropolitan area.

More than 24,000 people were without power as falling trees took down power lines and unsafe conditions delayed crews’ attempts to restore power.

Homes in Rockingham were torn apart as roofs, fences and ceilings collapsed in what the Bureau of Meteorology said were conditions on par with tornado weather.

Amanda McCue told 7NEWS how she hid her children in a wardrobe as part of her collapsing roof fell on her.

“I think I’m lucky to be alive really... It just sounded like a freight train coming and then everything just started lifting, and then everything just collapsed,” she said.

“It seems like a mini-tornado has come through and ripped off the top of my house.”

Chaotic footage posted to Perth Weather Live online showed wheelie bins being carried away by forceful winds in Baldivis.

Wind gusts of up to 113kmh were detected at Garden Island, off the Rockingham coast, about 9.10am. Busselton Airport recorded 90mm of rain.

The strong cold front is now moving southeast, into the Goldfields, Midwest-Gascoyne and Great Southern regions.

DFES is advising residents in these areas to stay safe, unplug any electrical appliances and close curtains and blinds.

If your home has been badly damaged by a storm, call the SES on 132 500. In a life threatening situation call 000.