Published on Friday, 7 February 2020 at 12:00:00 AM
Community members are advised that Tom Price, Pannawonica and Paraburdoo are currently on BLUE ALERT as Tropical Cyclone Damien is forecast to intensify and turn towards the Pilbara coast during today.
Gales are expected on the Pilbara coast this afternoon or evening, ahead of a severe cyclone impact on Saturday.
The Shire is advising those members of our Ashburton community who are in the watch zone to prepare for potential dangerous weather this weekend.
It is important to secure items around your home and work such as boats, trailers, outdoor furniture and backyard toys, shade-sails, and loose material and LPG bottles.
It is also important to be mindful that with extreme winds and rain, power and water supply may be affected and to stock up on essential items including food and water in plenty of time.
Now is also the time to move vehicles under cover, ensure pets and animals are in a safe area and pack a relocation kit to be taken with your emergency kit if you are advised to seek shelter in a welfare centre.
Cyclone preparations are well underway by Shire of Ashburton staff as we anticipate destructive winds and heavy rain as the system makes its way inland.
This includes the checking and clearing drainage in our towns, preparing vehicles so that recovery efforts can be started immediately as well as securing shire facilities and sites such as landfill, parks and playgrounds.
Please make yourself familiar with emergency contact numbers should you require assistance over the weekend.
It is important to understand the alert system.
- BLUE ALERT - Get ready for a cyclone - When a blue alert is issued, you need to get ready to put your plan into place.
- YELLOW ALERT - Act now to stay safe - If you don’t take action now, the safety of you and your family is at risk.
- RED ALERT - Shelter now - You need to take shelter immediately. It’s too late to be getting prepared now.
- ALL CLEAR - Be careful - When an ALL CLEAR is given it means the cyclone has passed, but you are still at risk of hazards caused by the cyclone damage.
Your emergency kit should include:
- GENERAL ITEMS - Store important documents like passports, ID and insurance information in a waterproof bag, a portable, battery operated AM/ FM radio, waterproof torch and spare batteries, first aid kit, medications, toiletries and sanitary supplies, mobile phone and charger (or phone card), cash and bank cards, spare house and car keys and any special requirements for infants, elderly, injured people, people with disability and pets
- FOOD & WATER Drinking water – at least 12 litres per person, canned food – enough for 4 days, a can opener, cooking gear and eating utensils, water container for storing washing and cooking water
- PLANNING TO RELOCATE? YOU NEED TO INCLUDE: Sleeping bags, blankets and towels, tent or tarpaulin, pen and paper, books, playing cards or games, waterproof ponchos and spare clothing
All Shire facilities including swimming pools, libraries, and administration buildings will shut once a yellow alert is issued, and will not reopen until the all clear has been given and it is safe to do so.
It is advised to look for updates at www.bom.gov.au, www.emergency.wa.gov.au and or listen to ABC Radio (567AM).
Updates will continue on the Shire of Ashburton website and Facebook.
Please also check road conditions via our road condition reports and by checking Main Roads Travel Map before undertaking any travel.
For media information contact:
Alison Lennon - Manager Media and Communications, Shire of Ashburton
M: 0409 314 140 | E: [email protected]
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