Water got into power points or the switchboard?
Leave it off. Don't switch anything back on that's been wet until a licensed electrician has checked it. If the storm has damaged the building, ring the SES on 132 500. Lines down or the whole street dark: Western Power on 13 13 51, and call 000 if anyone's at risk.
What's particular about Mandurah
A fishing village that grew fast
Mandurah was little more than a fishing village until the post-war boom. It became a city on 14 April 1990, grew into a major regional city in just over a decade, and got its railway from Perth in December 2007.
Sudden heavy rain
On 12 December 2011, 69.4 mm fell against a December average of 15.5 mm, and 74.2 mm fell on the same date in 2012. Falls like that test outdoor lights, garden power and anything at ground level.
Canal living
Canal suburbs such as Halls Head, Dudley Park and Wannanup reach out from the Peel Inlet. Jetty lights, pumps and outdoor power sit in the wettest part of those blocks.
More renters than owners
In the suburb of Mandurah, 52.3% of occupied homes were rented at the 2021 Census, and 22.7% of dwellings were empty on census night. 37.3% were townhouses or similar.
Solar on the roofs
The Clean Energy Regulator counts 22,898 small-scale solar systems installed across postcode 6210 since 2001.
After a storm in Mandurah
Check whether it's just you
If the neighbours are dark too, it's the network, so report it and wait. If it runs 12 continuous hours or more, the State's extended outage payment may apply, with claims due within 60 days.
Switch off what got wet
If you can reach it safely and you're standing somewhere dry, turn off the main switch. Don't touch wet appliances while they're still plugged in.
Have it checked before it goes back on
A licensed electrician tests the affected circuits and fittings and replaces what's damaged. For installing work, the contractor must give you an Electrical Safety Certificate within 28 days.
Keep the paperwork
Photos, the electrician's report and the certificate all help if you're making an insurance claim.
Where we'd start
If you own a rental near the water, we'd have the outdoor circuits, RCDs and smoke alarms checked together before the summer storms. Ask the electrician to look hardest at anything outside: jetty lights, pump power and garden points.
Want a specialist to sort it?
Tell us the job and your postcode. We match the licence-checked local electrician who does this kind of work, and they call you. No ring-around, and your number goes to them alone.