Asbestos alert, residents without power after tornado

Locals in Bunbury, south of Perth, have been warned to watch out for potential asbestos contamination after the 60-metre-wide tornado ripped through the area at 4pm on Friday.

Up to 40 homes were damaged, with dramatic vision showing entire roofs ripped off buildings as debris was sucked up into the sky.

About 15 young people and staff "miraculously" were not hurt when the tornado severely damaged the Bunbury Police and Citizens Youth Club as they gathered inside, Police Minister Paul Papalia said.

Part of the town's prison was also damaged, with about 17 prisoners to be moved to other facilities while repair works were carried out.

Some 1300 properties were still without power at 5pm local time on Saturday, according to Emergency WA.

Locals have been told to watch out for powerlines, fallen trees and other hazards including potential asbestos around a sporting complex.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services District Superintendent Andy Wright said about 120 requests for assistance were made following the tornado and authorities had attended about one in three of those jobs.

He said about 12 people stayed at an evacuation centre overnight and others displaced by the tornado stayed with loved ones.

"The long-term effects of this will probably go for months - (regarding) our actual recovery effort, we'll be here as long as the city needs us," he said.

Local MP Don Punch described it as "traumatic" for the town.

"It's left people unable to go to their homes and it's caused a lot of anxiety and distress I know for a lot of people in our community," he said.

Australian Associated Press