Mandurah might not be as well-known for the odd freak storm as the famed Tornado Alley, but frequent sightings of water spouts and willy willys lately might be changing that idea.
Meadow Springs resident Sarah Breedon found that out the hard way when her fence was partially destroyed by a willy willy – otherwise known as a “dust devil”, or tornado – on Tuesday afternoon.
Ms Breedon was at home as the tornado touched down in her backyard, which ripped panels and gates off her fence before flung them into neighbouring properties before diffusing as quickly as it appeared.
Ms Breedon’s next-door neighbour, Jamie Jones, ran outside when he heard what he described as somehting akin to an explosion.
“I just heard this huge bang, and when I went outside I saw the whole section of the fence was just gone,” he said.
“Bits were found all over the street and front yards – a pallet went about 200 metres down the road.”
Ms Breedon said she was glad no-one was injured, despite the damage.
“We’ve got the insurance company coming out to have a look at it,” she said.
“It was all over in less than two minutes.
“It was crazy – the steel bolts are all bent 90 degrees. We’ve got three dogs as well, so we’re just glad it didn’t go as bad as it could have.”