Published on Wednesday, 8 February 2017 at 12:00:00 AM
The following alert has been issued by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).
Time of issue: 01:14 PM
Date of issue: 08 February 2017
Take action with storms coming in parts of the Pilbara and Midwest-Gascoyne
If you live in an area in the western and coastal parts of Pilbara and Midwest Gascoyne you should take action and stay safe with more storms to come.
This includes people in Carnarvon, Coral Bay, Denham, Exmouth, Karratha, Onslow, Paraburdoo, Port Hedland, Tom Price, Nullagine, Overlander Roadhouse, Whim Creek, Wooramel Roadhouse and surrounding areas.
This is unusual weather that could cause damage to homes and make travel dangerous.
WHAT TO DO:
DFES advises you to:
- If outside find safe shelter away from trees, powerlines, storm water drains and streams.
- Close your curtains and blinds, and stay inside away from windows.
- Unplug electrical appliances and avoid using landline telephones if there is lightning.
- If there is flooding, create your own sandbags by using pillow cases filled with sand and place them around doorways to protect your home.
- If boating, swimming or surfing leave the water.
IF DRIVING:
- Do not drive into water of unknown depth and current.
- Slow down, turn your lights on and keep a safe distance from other drivers.
- Be alert and watch for hazards on the road such as fallen powerlines and loose debris.
- If it is raining heavily and you cannot see, pull over and park with your hazard lights on until the rain clears.
- Take care in areas that have been flooded and be careful driving on gravel roads as surfaces will be slippery and muddy, and vehicles could become bogged.
People are being urged to do what they can to help themselves, if it is safe to do so, before calling the SES for assistance
WEATHER DETAILS:
At 08/02/2017 12:45:00 the Bureau of Meteorology advised at midday the tropical low was crossing the coast near De Grey, to the east 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 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. 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. The warning for Bidyadanga and Wallal Downs has been cancelled. There are Flood Watches and Warnings current for the Kimberley and Pilbara districts. For further details please refer to www.bom.gov.au/wa/warnings
ROAD CLOSURES AND CONDITIONS:
Heavy rain fall is predicted in the region causing flash flooding and unpredictable levels in floodways and river crossings. Please exercise extreme caution on all roads and check conditions before travel.
Due to the Tropical Low road closures are anticipated late this afternoon throughout the region and for sections of North West Coastal Highway from Port Hedland to Burkett Road intersection
Marble Bar Road is closed to all vehicles in both directions from Shaw River/ Abydos intersection to Munjina-Roy Hill intersection
Nanutarra-Munjina Road is closed to all vehicles in both directions from North West Coastal Highway intersection to Pararaburdoo Tom Price Road
Nanutarra-Munjina Road is closed to all vehicles in both directions from Pararaburdoo Tom Price Road to Hammersley Drive
Nanutarra-Munjina Road is open to four wheel drive vehicles only between Hammersley Drive to Fortescue Crossing Drive
Nanutarra-Munjina Road is open to four wheel drive vehicles only between Fortescue Crossing Drive to Auski Roadhouse
Ripon Hills Road is closed to all vehicles from Marble Bar to Telfer turnoff
Pararaburdoo Tom Price Road is closed to all vehicles from Paraburdoo to Nanutarra Munjina Road
Pararaburdoo Tom Price Road is open to all vehicles from Paraburdoo to Tom Price, however exercise extreme caution and drive to conditions
Water over road North West Coastal Highway from Port Hedland to Fortescue Roadhouse
Water over the road between Geraldton to Mount Magnet Road in both directions 20 kilometres west of Yalgoo
Take extra care on the roads and do not drive into water of unknown depth and current.
Motorists should expect water over roads throughout the Kimberley and Pilbara and are asked to exercise extreme caution and check conditions before travel.
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.
WHAT EMERGENCY SERVICES ARE DOING:
DFES is monitoring the situation.
IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE:
If your home has been badly damaged by a storm, call the SES on 132 500
In a life threatening situation call 000
After a storm SES volunteers make temporary repairs to homes that have been badly damaged, such as roofs that have been ripped off or large fallen trees on homes or cars.
Please contact your insurance company to organise permanent repairs.
KEEP UP TO DATE:
Visit emergency.wa.gov.au, call 13 DFES (13 3337), follow DFES on Twitter @dfes_wa, or listen to news bulletins.
Updates will be provided when the situation changes.
Back to All News