Lightning Strikes Injure Four in Western Australia, Disrupts Perth Services
Perth, Western Australia, experienced a day of wild thunderstorms on Thursday, February 26, 2026, resulting in injuries to two schoolgirls and a man, as well as widespread disruptions to train services and power outages.
Lightning Strikes and Injuries
Two teenage girls were struck by lightning at a secondary school in Mount Helena around 10:10 am. St John WA paramedics transported one girl to Midland Hospital and the other to Fiona Stanley Hospital [1].
Earlier in the day, at approximately 9:30 am, a man in his 70s was struck while walking his dog in Hamersley. He was also taken to Fiona Stanley Hospital by ambulance. His injuries are reported as serious but not life-threatening. The condition of the dog remains unknown.
Storm-Related Disruptions
The thunderstorms, driven by a deepening west coast trough, caused a range of disruptions across Perth. Lightning sparked fires in two homes: one on Ravenswood Drive in Nollamara at 8:35 am, contained by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services by 9:00 am, and another on Amelia Street in Balcatta around 9:00 am.
“Technical issues” caused by lightning affected the train network’s signalling system, leading to cancellations on the Mandurah Line (between Elizabeth Quay and Aubin Grove) and the Yanchep and Thornlie Cockburn lines. Delays persisted throughout the morning.
Approximately 3000 homes experienced power outages in suburbs including Balga, Hamersley, Hamilton Hill, Innaloo, Parmelia, and Palmyra. Western Power anticipated electricity restoration by 1:00 pm.
Weather Forecast
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) forecasts south-easterly winds in the morning, shifting to south-westerly in the afternoon. A top temperature of 29°C is expected in Perth, with ongoing low-intensity heatwaves.
Perth Weather Outlook:
- Thursday: Possible storm, Max 29°C
- Friday: Sunny, 20-36°C
- Saturday: Cloud clearing, 18-26°C
- Sunday: Sunny, 12-25°C
- Monday: Sunny, 14-30°C
- Tuesday: Sunny, 17-32°C
- Wednesday: Sunny, 17-33°C
Forecast sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology.