Susan Drexler is joined in the clean-up by Dion Giles.
WITH storm destruction across Mandurah one of the biggest ever seen, volunteers from across the State worked through the nights to ensure Peel residents were as minimally affected as possible.
Mandurah SES spokesperson Chris Stickland said he was very proud of the efforts put in.
“This was the biggest emergency operation in Mandurah with nearly 200 emergency personnel,” he said.
Personnel from the Navy, Urban search and rescue, fire crews and three crews from the SES headed to Mandurah to be part of the massive cleanup.
“It was a full-on operation with all hands on deck,” he said.
Mandurah SES received 276 calls for assistance on Sunday night following the damaging winds and a further 25 more on Tuesday night after the second severe storm hit.
Mr Stickland said Wednesday became a clean-up operation for his team of dedicated volunteers.
Those involved in the clean-up included locals Susan Drexler, Kim Honey, Ross Jones, Will Norris and Dion Giles.
The five spent part of Wednesday assisting the Mandurah Gardens Estate after the airconditioner blew through the roof.
Mr Norris said he enjoyed being able to assist those in need.
“You get hyped up when you get a call out, there’s never a doubt before you go,” he said.
Mr Norris spent part of the SES operation at Peel Health Campus after his finger was caught as he and his team tried to remove tree branches.
After six stitches to his right hand, Mr Norris said that didn’t stop him.
“We are lucky we are able to get out there and help,” he said.
“I have been on call since Sunday.
“My wife says I become a different person when on call, all ready to go.”
Through the use of the roof safety system, Mr Norris and other volunteers are able to scale two-storey buildings to conduct their assistance.
Mr Stickland said he was thankful so many businesses allowed their employees to assist in the storm clean-up.
“Bunnings and Officeworks donated a lot of things while John Tonkin College catered for all of us, the City of Mandurah were great,” he said.
“We were facing pretty grim stakes but I think we snatched victory from the jaws of defeat,” he said.
He also said Western Power had played a big part in the clean-up by working overtime.
“Western Power did an amazing job of working overtime to ensure as many people as possible had power.”
Mr Stickland said a number of volunteers were given time to rest by Wednesday morning as the big clean-up began.
