Bureau of Meteorology confirms High Wycombe tornado after initial denial as wet weather lashes WA

Weather boffins have backflipped on denials a tornado tore through an eastern suburbs street on Friday after initially debunking the claims.

Reports of a possible tornado began to surface online after heavy rain and damaging winds lashed Emu Court in High Wycombe, about 1.30pm.

The Bureau of Meteorology initially shot down the claim, saying “there was not a thunderstorm in the area at the time, and there is not yet evidence of a funnel cloud reaching the ground in this area”.

“Current evidence, including radar observations, were insufficient to suggest a tornado,” a spokesperson said.

That was despite footage circulating online of a funneling wind tearing through the High Wycombe street, sending roof tiles and debris flying.

The BoM stood firm on its non-tornado stance on Saturday morning, before changing its tune hours later.

“Based on available video, photographic and other meteorological evidence, the Bureau of Meteorology can confirm the occurrence of a tornado in the High Wycombe area between approximately 1.15pm–1.30pm,” a spokesperson said.

“Predicting tornadoes is difficult and specific warnings are only issued if signs consistent with tornadoes occurring are visible on radar or direct observations are received.”

The bureau is now investigating reports of a possible tornado in Rossmoyne on Friday night.

Wild weather overnight saw State Emergency Services respond to 70 calls from people with roof damage and water ingress in their homes. The Perth Airport weather station recorded almost 40mm of rain by 9am Saturday.

Strong winds continue to batter the southern half of the state, with the south coast copping the brunt of it as the weather system heads east.

Albany, Esperance, Mount Barker, Bremer Bay, Israelite Bay and Ravensthorpe are likely to be affected.