Extreme downpour triggers flash flooding in Perth's northern suburbs

Perth’s dry spell has ended in spectacular fashion as a major rain event smashed the city’s northern suburbs with up to 100 millimetres falling in under an hour.

Cars ended up underwater as flash flooding trapped some drivers.

A spokesperson from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services confirmed several people had been rescued from their cars, with the State Emergency Service responding to more than 45 requests for assistance.

Cars have ended up underwater after the extreme downpour caused flash flooding and trapped some drivers.

Paul Jenkyn was among the residents who were at work when the downpour started.

“So I just raced home, raced home to save the dogs really because the dogs were actually half under water,” Jenkyn said.

“We’ve had a metre of water through the front of our house.”

The deluge caused the roof of Ocean Keys Shopping Centre in the suburb of Clarkson to collapse in front of shocked on-lookers.

In the suburb of Ridgewood, hail made backyards resemble a winter wonderland.

The Bureau of Meteorology said 104 millimetres fell in Clarkson, Butler and Ridgewood in an hour.