Perth weather: Thunderstorm brings heavy downpour to metro area

Mother Nature has unleashed her fury across isolated parts of Perth's northern corridor in one of the biggest downpours locals have seen in over a decade.

The flash flooding event on Wednesday afternoon caused chaos and thrashed the coastal suburbs of Heathridge, Beldon, Ocean Reef, Mullaloo and Craigie.

Within 40 minutes of rainfall — the usually busy Admiral Grove in Heathridge transformed into a swimming pool with reports of up to four cars inundated in floodwaters.

Umair Majeednagra, 33, was called to the aid of his mate, a food delivery driver, who was one of the four caught up.

While the McDonalds meal made the drop-off safely, the same could not be said for his vehicle.

"Due to the rain the drains were blocked . . . and it was about three feet of water," Mr Majeednagra said.

"We are just his friends so we came to help but he was the one that helped clear the drain. The car was in the middle of the road but we all helped pushed it off to the side.

"He only has third party insurance so he won't be able to claim the damages. We are just taking it to a mechanic to have it looked at, but a few people who passed by said the car can't be fixed."

Further down the road on Sail Terrace, Anthony Wood said the torrential rain was the worst he's seen since moving into the area in 2014.

"I was working in the camper van putting up some shelving up in the cupboard when the heavens sort of opened up as it were," the 63-year-old said.

"And so the roof was rattling and I had to shut the garage because all of the electronics were out there. When I came into the house I was soaked to the skin . . . it was very intense.

"The backyard was entirely flooded. Our turf was underwater maybe up to 50 mm. But it certainly came down and it was unusual.

"Although . . . we haven't had this kind of rainfall this year so the garden needs it, but the pool doesn't."

Less than 10 minutes away and it was also mayhem for local businesses including a popular tavern joint in Woodvale.

"There were people eating lunch. So we had to move them into a different area . . . into a function room so they could still finish the drinks and we could shut the main bar," The Woodvale Tavern operations manager Sam Filkins said.

"The rain was coming down and slowly from a few drops of leaks it just got increasingly worse. The next minute the roof was coming down and we were lucky enough to get everyone cleared away from the area.

"I was fearing how do we get it to stop really? So I got onto the roof to have a look and it was just sheer amounts of where all the drain pipe systems are going and it could not keep up with the amount of downpour there was," Mr Filkins said.

"I’ve been here for 10 years and have never seen anything like this before. It was entirely out of the blue and really a freak storm.

"We’re back open for dinner and we have the electrician just tidying up . . . the carpet guys have arrived . . . and then obviously now just start getting quotes to get everything fixed up."

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Perth on Wednesday, with the city's northeast copping the brunt of the wild weather.

There were reports that because of the severe weather warning, no tarmac activity was happening at Perth's airport for at least 30 minutes.

Sporting clubs received notification that all bookings for training at Seacrest Park and Percy Doyle Reserve was off for Wednesday.

Bureau of Meteorology duty forecaster Bob Tarr said the thunderstorm warning will extend into late Wednesday afternoon, but the weather will clear for the start of the weekend.

"The wild weather should taper off overnight, and by and large the weather should be fine for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday," he said.

"The first half of the weekend will be much better for people planning outdoor activities."

Another cold front is set to move in on Sunday, followed by a "very" cold front on Monday, with rain forecast for much of next week.

Despite Wednesday's downpour, Perth has seen a much dryer May than usual. This year 26mm fell this month — well below the average of 88mm.

PERTH FORECAST

WEDNESDAY: 21C, thunderstorm

THURSDAY: 19C, possible shower

FRIDAY: 19C, mostly sunny

SATURDAY: 20, mostly sunny

SUNDAY: 18C, mostly sunny

MONDAY: 21C, shower or two

TUESDAY: 17C, shower or two