RESIDENTS have described the terror of a destructive tornado which ripped through Dianella and Morley at noon yesterday, flattening powerlines and leaving a trail of damage.

Destructive winds in excess of 120km/h tore a path of destruction through Light and Marmion streets in Dianella and Alexander Drive and Walter Road in Morley.

Last night, the following roads remained closed due to fallen power lines:

- Morley Drive, between Alexander Drive and Wellington Road

- Light Street, at Morley Drive to Lyndhurst Street

- Light Street, between View Street and Kensington Avenue

- Marmion Street, between Valentine Avenue and Light Street

By 8pm, the State Emergency Service has responded to more than 95 calls for assistance in the Perth metro area, York and Mandurah.

Residents are advised to do what they can themselves before contacting the SES for assistance.

SES volunteers from nine units will continue to respond to call overnight, making temporary repairs to homes such as fixing minor roof damage and removing fallen trees from homes, cars and fences.

Earlier today, Marmion Street, Dianella, looked like a war zone with powerlines torn down, metal sheeting snagged in the lines, trees down and dozens of homes damaged.

At least one powerline was sagging across the road, weighed down by metal sheeting.

Some houses have metal sheeting resting on the tiles while others had tiles torn off. Dramatic video posted on YouTube shows debris spiralling high into the air during 10 seconds of mayhem.

Numerous patios were demolished, with sheeting strewn over neighbouring properties.

At least on house has extensive roof damage, with insulation scattered over the road.

The cost of the damage is expected to pass $1 million.

Susan Kroeger, who lives on nearby Coode Street, said: "When I first heard the noise I thought it was trucks, I was hanging my washing outside and I saw what looked like a big flock of birds (debris) that just kept going.

"I have never seen anything like it.''

Dean Liddalcable said: "I looked outside in the distance, I saw this big column of debris coming closer and I had to yell at a neighbour to quickly get inside his house.

"It was like something out of a movie. Half of my neighbour's patio is in my yard.''

Sam Durham said: "I saw trees getting ripped out of the ground, one huge tree got dragged about 10 metres down the street. I saw sheets of metal flying 30 metres to 40 metres through the air.''

Veronica Carr said: "My patio has been completely destroyed. The roof has wrecked the shed of next door.''

A real estate office and video store on Walter Road has been damaged with the roof torn off and one wall collapsed.

Nobody was injured in the building collapse. Several cars may also have been damaged.

A Blockbuster video store in Morley was also extensively damaged. The force of the winds peeled back iron roof sheeting and blew out windows.

Homes without power

Western Power crews are on site and are currently assessing the damage after 5000 homes were blacked out.

The tornado brought down a number of power poles but Western Power crews had restored power to 2000 customers by 4pm.

People are urged to stay away from any fallen power lines and report any damage to 13 13 51.

Trees have also been brought down along Alexander Drive where police and emergency services are directing traffic.

Drivers are strongly advised to avoid the area if possible.

Other roads in and around the Dianella/Morley area may also have debris or water over the road so drivers are asked to reduce their speed and exercise caution through the area.

Bureau of Metrology spokesman Neil Bennett said up to nine weather systems with the potential to bring a tornadoes passed through Perth between May and October each year.

“Normally tornados in Perth in the cool season are more likely on the coastal fringe,” Mr Bennett said.

“But why that particular suburb and that particular area, we don’t really know.

“We have had tornados occur inland but there has got to be something that has just given it a little boost.”

At 12.45pm the thunderstorm storm that produced the tornado was in the vicinity of Bickley and moving to the south-east.

Another tornado was reported near York at around 12.30pm.

PerthNow readers were quick to provide first-hand accounts of the seconds of terror:

"I was in Coode St and watched it cross it. It snapped all the trees at the end of the road in a second. Very scary stuff. Bits and debris were flying through the air, lots of laserlite, patio iron, parts of garden sheds etc. Not used to this in Perth. I wish I filmed it though. I wasn't thinking straight at the time.'' - Tyrone Cripps

"A man was hurt outside of Commonwealth bank. Two trees were uprooted on the myer side of the Centro Galleria with 4 cars damaged. Block busters roof was wrapped around a pole outside the galleria and it too is extremely damaged with one part of the wall struck down. (However it did not distroy a twilight poster). Futhur down, there were roof's of houses torn off and trees everywhere. Many dead traffic lights too." - Jessica V

"My car window and light has been smashed and my car was thrown around the road. There were large bits of metal and chairs flying high in the sky and pieces of buildings being torn off shops next to the road. Metal smashed my car. I looked at the side street and was relieved to see no pedestrians. If there were they might have been killed. I hope no one has been seriously hurt." - Jo Joo of Morley

"I was sitting in McDonalds Morley when the twister struck. All of a sudden the restaurant doors were sucked inward as a result of air pressure and it was then we noticed the shade sails on the upper level of the Galleria being ripped to pieces, signs and tree branches were whirling around with the wind. It only lasted a short time but it sounded like a freight train." - Glen Stoddart of Yokine

* Thunderstorm warning as roads closed

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the area:

"For destructive winds and heavy rainfall in, near or between a line Jurien Bay to Beacon to Corrigin to Bunbury to Jurien Bay, including York, Mandurah and the Perth metropolitan area.

"A low pressure system to the southwest of Perth is producing showers and thunderstorms over the southwest of the State with isolated dangerous that could cause significant damage to homes and property. Showers and thunderstorms may also cause heavy rainfall that may cause flash flooding during this afternoon.''