PERTH—Up to 17,000 homes and businesses are without power after a severe storm hit Western Australia's south-west Friday.
The Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) said winds of up to 110km/h caused structural and roof damage to several buildings around Albany and Denmark.
The State Emergency Service received 70 calls in three hours from residents in Albany and another 10 from the Denmark area.
Western Power has since reconnected electricity to 7,000 customers but says thousands will be without power Friday night.
Most of those are between Bremer Bay and Walpole.
Western Power workers were trying to reinstall eight fallen power poles in one particular area, but boggy terrain was making work difficult, a spokeswoman said.
Fallen trees across roads, fencelines and powerlines should be approached with care, authorities said.
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