Published on Friday, 22 March 2019 at 12:00:00 AM
People in Pilbara Coastal Rivers need to take action now as Major flooding is expected late Saturday into Sunday. Water will be fast flowing and levels will rise quickly.
WHAT TO DO:
DFES advises you to:
Watch for changes in water levels so you are ready if you need to evacuate.
Pack a relocation kit together with your emergency kit.
Relocate equipment and livestock so they do not get caught in floodwaters.
Prepare pet food or stockfeed in case you cannot return home for a few days.
Never walk, swim or play in floodwaters as they are dangerous.
Do not go near storm drains and pipes, ditches and ravines, as they are dangerous.
Stay out of rivers, this includes no swimming or kayaking.
If you are a traveller do not park or camp adjacent to rivers.
IF DRIVING:
Floodways and river levels may rise rapidly so be careful at crossings.
Obey road closure signs and do not drive into water of unknown depth and current.
Take care on gravel and unsealed roads as they may be slippery and muddy, and you could get bogged.
If your car stalls in rising water, abandon it immediately and seek shelter above floodwater.
ROAD CLOSURES:
Some roads may be closed due to rising flood waters.
Four wheel drive vehicles and trucks may proceed with caution.
Road information may also be available by calling Main Roads WA on 138 138 or visiting www.mainroads.wa.gov.au or by contacting your local Shire.
FLOOD DETAILS:
As at 22/03/2019 14:36:00 the Bureau of Meteorology advises flooding is expected to develop in the Pilbara Coastal Rivers catchments. Heavy rainfall associated with Severe Tropical Cyclone Veronica is expected to cause significant stream level rises and widespread flooding commencing late Saturday into Sunday.For the Pilbara Coastal Rivers rainfall totals for Saturday through to Monday will range from 100 millimetres furthest from the cyclones path to 500 millimetres with isolated higher totals possible closest to the cyclone track.Heavy rainfall is expected to result in significant river rises areas of flooding and adversely affected road conditions. Some roads may become impassable and some communities may become isolated.
Current river levels are available from Department of Water and Environmental Regulation at www.water.wa.gov.au
For the latest flood information visit www.bom.gov.au/wa/flood or call 1300 659 213.
WHAT EMERGENCY SERVICES ARE DOING:
DFES is working closely with DFES is working closely with volunteers, local governments and other agencies to ensure communities are prepared. DFES deployed a taskforce of 15 people to the Pilbara region yesterday morning. These include Incident Management Team personnel, Aboriginal Advancement Unit liaison officers, Urban Search and Rescue personnel and State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers. A further 15 SES volunteers from the metro area will be deployed to the Pilbara today. All Pilbara coastal SES and Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services units are currently undertaking preparatory and planning activities to assist the community. DFES has made contact with regional and remote communities to assess their preparedness levels. WA Police, St John Ambulance and all relevant government agencies are involved in consultation and planning.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS:
For SES assistance call 132 500
In a life threatening situation call 000
For the latest flood information call 1300 659 213 or visit www.bom.gov.au/wa/flood
KEEP UP TO DATE:
Visit www.emergency.wa.gov.au, call 13 DFES (13 3337), follow DFES on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dfes_wa, Facebook: https://facebook.com/dfeswa/, listen to ABC Local Radio or listen to news bulletins.
Updates will be provided when the situation changes.
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