Freak storm causes flooding, landslides in Australia

clipped from news.blogs.cnn.com Severe thunderstorms that struck Western Australia caused flooding, landslides and wind damage that will amount to tens of millions of dollars, Premier Colin Barnett said Tuesday. More than 30 schools in the Perth area suffered damage including flooding, collapsed ceilings and shattered windows and there was significant damage done to several hospitals, the state Fire and Emergency Services Authority said in a statement. More than 50,000 people were without power Tuesday, the authority said, with power to 100,000 customers restored since the storms hit. “This incident is going to cost the State, tens of millions of dollars to repair buildings, restore power lines,” Barnett said in a statement. The government would provide disaster assistance, he said. The Fire and Emergency Services Authority reported more than 2,000 calls for help since the storm hit.

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