The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Severe Weather Warning for Lower West, South West, South Coastal, South East Coastal, Great Southern and parts of Central West and Central Wheat Belt districts.
A strong cold front over the southwest corner of the State will move across the South West Land Division today. A deep low pressure system associated with the front will move to the south of the State.
Showers and isolated thunderstorms are likely to produce DAMAGING WINDS with gusts to 100 kilometres per hour and could cause DAMAGE TO HOMES AND PROPERTY southwest of a line Perth to Bremer Bay, extending through the remainder of the warning area by early afternoon.
Dangerous surf conditions are expected in exposed coastal areas between Geraldton and Albany.
Conditions will begin to ease from the west from during Friday afternoon and ease throughout by Friday evening. In the Perth Metropolitan area, damaging winds are unlikely after about 4pm.
Locations which may be affected include Albany, Bunbury, Esperance, Katanning, Mandurah, Manjimup, Margaret River, Merredin, Moora, Mount Barker, Narrogin, Northam and Perth.
Recently observed wind gusts include:
- 100 kilometres per hour at Ocean Reef at 7:23 am
- 93 kilometres per hour at Cape Naturaliste at 7:07 am
- 91 kilometres per hour at Busselton Jetty at 7:28 am
- People in the southwest of WA experience a front as windy as this about 5 times a year.
Please refer to the Severe Weather Warning issued for central parts of the State for DAMAGING WINDS during Friday ahead of this strong cold front.
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.
The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 5:00 pm AWST Friday.
Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau’s website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 213. The Bureau and Department of Fire and Emergency Services would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.
Reproduced with the permission of the Bureau of Meteorology