A police spokesman said the storm tore the roof from the child's home at Wongan Hills, 180 kilometres (112 miles) north east of Perth, on Thursday evening.

"The house collapsed and badly injured a nine-year-old girl," he said. "She was taken to hospital but died there later. Her mother suffered minor injuries."

Police said the girl's family were believed to have moved to Australia from South Africa five years ago.

Four other houses in the small community were badly damaged.

"I can't understand the devastation was so great in such a short time, it's unbelievable," one neighbour told Sky News.

Emergency services worked through the night to restore power to the town and mop up after the fierce storm, which hit an area previously devastated by drought.

SPACE.WIRE