While Cyclone Yasi and the Queensland and Victorian floods have dominated national attention over the past week, major catastrophes in WA and Melbourne at the weekend have added to the nation’s woes – and insurers’ workload.

What is believed to be the largest bushfire in WA’s history swept through Roleystone, southeast of Perth, at the weekend, destroying at least 41 homes and damaging more than 60 others. Several schools are also reported to have been destroyed.

The Roleystone fire is believed to have been started by an angle grinder igniting grass. Strong winds fanned the flames, with hundreds of residents forced to flee their homes.

Several other fires broke out across Perth fringe communities in Kelmscott, Red Hill and Brigadoon. Today bushfires are also burning at Chittering, 50km north of Perth, and Jarrahdale, 60km southeast.

Meanwhile in Melbourne, rain clouds from cyclones Anthony and Yasi met a cold front over southern Victoria at the weekend, dumping up to 150mm of rain and causing flash flooding across the city’s south-east.

Parts of suburban Pakenham, Emerald and Narre Warren were flooded, with floods also reported in other areas across the city.

The State Emergency Service reported 6300 requests for help over the weekend, and 118 rescues had to be carried out, 80 of them from flooded cars.