Marble Bar storm: Wind gusts destroy at least six homes during severe weather event

At least six homes were destroyed in Marble Bar on Thursday night during a freak storm which brought wind gusts of 113km/h to the Pilbara region.

Marble Bar residents sheltered indoors after the Bureau of Meteorology advised that an isolated severe thunderstorm had developed over the town.

On Friday, a Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokesperson confirmed at least six properties were “uninhabitable” after the storm tore off their roofs.

At least one home has “partially collapsed” and another 10 have been damaged.

There are no reports of injuries.

Residents also reported instances of flooding as a result of the heavy rainfall.

DFES is responding to the situation and assessing the impact of the storm.

The storm has left at least 50 homes without power, with Horizon Power currently on its way from Port Hedland to resolve the issue.

A storm watch and act is still in place for residents in Marble Bar and its surrounds.

“There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a result of a severe thunderstorm,” a DFES spokesperson said.

“There is a potential presence of asbestos within the impact area of the thunderstorm.

“Be alert for potential hazards such as asbestos, live electricity and downed power lines, leaking gas, fallen trees, low and dropping branches and damaged infrastructure including walls, roofs, fences, bridges, roads and footpaths.”

Some roads may be closed.

Motorists are asked to avoid the area, reduce speed and drive carefully.

Annabelle Copplin — who lives on Yarrie Station about 90km north of Marble Bar — said the rain was welcome.

“Rain is extremely important for this country at the moment ... we don’t get any rain, we just get dust storms here,” she said.

“I’m getting calls that rivers are flooding but rivers always run at this time of the year.”

Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson has labelled the storm a “freak incident”.

“That really was a freak incident last night at Marble Bar, and we have team now on the ground doing some assessment,” he said.

“We did open an evacuation centre last night, although local people chose to stay with family or friends or the local hotel.”

The minister said climate change would lead to more sudden weather events.

“This is climate change,” Mr Dawson said.

“It is an undeniable fact that with the changing climate we are seeing more freak weather events, and whether they’re bushfires or indeed, floods or a storm like last night, we are seeing those increase in frequency.

“We need to have our emergency services out and ready to respond, whether their career or indeed volunteers, SES.

“And so we have got amazing workers in this space around the state, and they always drop everything to get out there to help local communities quickly.”