Published on Thursday, 12 March 2015 at 12:00:00 AM
DFES has given an ALL CLEAR advice for people in or near coastal communities of Onslow, Whim Creek, Roebourne, Pt. Samson, Wickham, Karratha and Dampier, Mardie and Pannawonica. However, extreme caution and care is still required.
WHAT TO DO:
DFES advises:
- The threat has passed but continue to take care to avoid the dangers caused by damage.
- Be aware of fallen powerlines and trees, broken water and sewage pipes, loose roof sheeting and other material.
DFES has provided the following update;
Severe tropical cyclone Olwyn nearing Cape Cuvier. Very destructive winds may reach Carnarvon early this afternoon.
Areas Affected:
Onslow to Jurien Bay
Intensity: Category 3, sustained winds near the centre of 150 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 205 kilometres per hour.
Location: within 45 kilometres of 23.8 degrees South 113.6 degrees East, estimated to be 75 kilometres south southwest of Coral Bay and 120 kilometres north of Carnarvon.
Movement: south at 24 kilometres per hour.
The centre of Severe Tropical Cyclone Olwyn is tracking very close to the coast as it moves southwards towards Cape Cuvier and Carnarvon. The system is expected to remain a severe tropical cyclone before slowly weakening during this afternoon.
As it moves southwards it is expected to take heavy rain and squally winds into southern parts of Western Australia.
Hazards:
VERY DESTRUCTIVE winds with gusts exceeding 165 kilometres per hour are likely near Cape Cuvier and surrounding areas during Friday morning and may extend to Carnarvon and surrounding areas during this afternoon.
DESTRUCTIVE winds with gusts exceeding 125 kilometres per hour may extend further south to Denham and surrounding areas during Friday afternoon and early evening.
Gales with gusts to 120 kilometres per hour are currently being experienced along the northern and central Gascoyne coast.
Residents between Ningaloo and Denham, including Coral Bay and Carnarvon, are specifically warned of the potential of a VERY DANGEROUS STORM TIDE as the cyclone centre passes close by. Tides are likely to rise significantly above the normal high tide mark with DAMAGING WAVES and VERY DANGEROUS FLOODING.
Heavy rainfall is occurring over the western Pilbara and northwest Gascoyne and is expected to extend further south during Friday. Heavy rainfall and squally winds will extend further southwards on Saturday. Please refer to the latest Severe Weather Warnings and Flood Watches and Warnings for more details: http://www.bom.gov.au/wa/warnings/
Please monitor the following sites for updates.
Bureau of Meteorology
Main Roads WA
DFES
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