A MAN has been killed by a tree that fell on a cabin as severe storms battered Perth and southwest Western Australia.

The 48-year-old man was staying at the Waroona Dam caravan park, also known as the Lake Navarino Forest Resort, near Waroona, south of Perth, when the large tree fell about 3.20am today.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services said a mini excavator was used to remove the tree from the cabin but the man could not be saved and was declared dead at the scene.

Winds gusted up to 117km/h in parts of the state during the storms.

Nearly 300 calls for help have now been received by the SES in the metropolitan area, with two homes in Toodyay losing their roofs.

Schools have also been hit, with the Avon Vale Primary School closing its doors today after suffering significant structural damage.

Samson Primary School sustained damage to the roof of an undercover area, while Terrace Hotel on Saint Georges Terrace and Beatty Park Aquatic Centre also had roof damage.

The worst hit areas include Wanneroo, Stirling, the Perth CBD, Rockingham, Mandurah and Cockburn.

The SES expects the number of calls to increase as people survey the damage inflicted.

Western Power said about 6000 people remained without power this morning, down from a peak of more than 50,000 at the height of the storm.

Crews were responding to more than 400 faults caused by debris and tree branches being flung into powerlines.