Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Amaroo Retreat & Spa in Mount Helena sustained extensive damage when a severe storm swept through the Perth Hills on Wednesday, 19 February 2025. ABC News reported that the Bureau of Meteorology identified the event as a microburst, not a tornado. The retreat’s owner estimated the property damage at hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to PerthNow.
What happened at Amaroo Retreat & Spa?
The storm hit at about 7:26 p.m. local time, PerthNow reported. Owner Kirstin Westerman told the publication that she and guests sheltered in the restaurant as rain, wind and debris struck the property. She described the most intense part of the storm as lasting about ten minutes.
Westerman told PerthNow: “It was terrifying … it was kind of reminiscent of Cyclone Marcus in Darwin that we went through; there were similar sounds and there was also the experience of the dark clouds coming in, intense rainfall, hail and the catastrophic winds.”
Was it a tornado?
“Possible tornado” reflected early uncertainty about the storm. ABC News reported on 20 February 2025 that the Bureau of Meteorology classified it as a microburst rather than a tornado. ABC also reported owner Kirsten Westerman’s account of the moment the storm intensified: “Then it went black, and all hell broke out.”
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →What damage was reported?
Westerman told PerthNow that the restaurant and kitchen, deck, reception building and two chalets were damaged. She said a recently completed $300,000 renovation had been significantly affected. Her estimate for the overall property damage was hundreds of thousands of dollars; it was an owner’s estimate reported by PerthNow, not an independent valuation.
She also told PerthNow that a tree fell on a building and hail followed. The report described broader effects of the storm, including more than 60 overnight calls for SES help with debris on roofs and carports. Western Power reported that about 8,300 homes and businesses were without power on Thursday morning, down from 12,200 at the storm’s peak.
Why was restoring the water supply a priority?
Westerman told PerthNow that the retreat’s water supply had been badly damaged. Because the property is surrounded by bushland, she said restoring water was a priority and that she felt unprotected without it. The report does not give a date for when the supply was restored.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Did the retreat close, and is it open now?
In the immediate aftermath, Westerman said the retreat would remain closed until it was safe to reopen, PerthNow reported. Amaroo’s current official pages promote chalet accommodation, spa treatments and restaurant service, and publish booking and reception information. Those pages do not document the storm-related reopening date. Check the business’s official contact page, accommodation page and spa page for current details.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
