IDW20032
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Western Australia Regional Office
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
SEVERE WEATHER WARNING
for DAMAGING WINDS, HEAVY RAINFALL and DAMAGING SURF
For people in the
Pilbara and parts of the
Gascoyne districts.
Issued at 3:43 pm Wednesday, 8 February 2017.
Weather situation:
At 3pm AWST, the tropical low lies over land 70km southeast of Port Hedland. The low is expected to move towards the southwest through the inland Pilbara overnight Wednesday and during Thursday. Late Thursday or early Friday the low will likely move offshore in the vicinity of Carnarvon or Shark Bay.
Windy conditions are expected throughout the Pilbara and northern Gascoyne. DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 100 kilometres per hour which could result in DAMAGE TO HOMES AND PROPERTY are possible east of Port Hedland Wednesday afternoon and evening. As the low tracks towards the southwest over land the winds should ease. As the low moves offshore late Thursday a period of DAMAGING WINDS is possible between Cape Cuvier and Denham, including Carnarvon.
Areas of HEAVY RAINFALL that may lead to FLASH FLOODING are possible over the Pilbara and far northwest Gascoyne as the low moves across the district. Isolated daily rainfall totals in excess of 100mm are possible in coastal parts of the Pilbara.
There are Flood Watches and Warnings current for the Kimberley and Pilbara districts. For further details please refer to
http://www.bom.gov.au/wa/warnings/.
Currently the tides along the west coast are lower than normal. As the low moves offshore overnight Thursday or early Friday tides may rapidly rise to be higher than normal and surf conditions could be dangerous.
Locations which may be affected include Carnarvon, Coral Bay, Denham, Exmouth, Karratha, Onslow, Paraburdoo, Port Hedland, Tom Price, Nullagine, Overlander Roadhouse, Whim Creek and Wooramel Roadhouse.
This overall weather pattern is unusual for this time of year and severe weather may occur in some parts of the warning area.
Between 3:00pm and 3:40pm Karratha recorded 39.8mm of rainfall.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:
* If outside find safe shelter away from trees, power lines, storm water drains and streams.
* Close your curtains and blinds, and stay inside away from windows.
* Unplug electrical appliances and do not use land line telephones if there is lightning.
* If boating, swimming or surfing leave the water.
* Be alert and watch for hazards on the road such as fallen power lines and loose debris.
* Keep away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways.
* Be careful of fallen trees, damaged buildings and debris.
* Be careful of fallen power lines. They are dangerous and should always be treated as live.
* Assess your home, car and property for damage.
* If damage has occurred take photos and contact your insurance company to organise permanent repairs.
* If your home or property has significant damage, like a badly damaged roof or flooding, call the SES on 132 500.
