More than 7000 WA homes without power as wild weather hits South West
More than 7000 homes in WA's South West are without power after a strong cold front passed over the region on Tuesday morning.
Albany experienced the most significant outages, with 2098 Western Power customers left in the dark just after 9am.
The outages forced some local businesses to close, and Western Power currently estimates a restoration time of 12pm for most affected parts of the South West.
The wild winds and heavy rain drenching Western Australia's south are expected to hit Perth later on Tuesday as two weather systems converge over the southwest corner of the state.
Flash flooding, damaging winds and dangerous surf conditions are expected as the first storm this winter rolls in over large parts of the state.
A severe weather warning in place for the Perth metropolitan area and people in the Great Southern, South West, Central West, Lower West, South Coastal, Gascoyne, Goldfileds, Central Wheatbelt, Eucla districts and parts of the Pilbara.
Damaging winds with gusts to 100 kilometres per hour which could result in property damage are possible in coastal parts from Kalbarri to Windy Harbour, including the Perth metro area.
Wind gusts exceeding 125km/h and capable of destroying homes could batter residents on the coast from Bunbury to Walpole as the storm front passes over the area.
"The weather system is expected to be windier than a typical front and affect a larger area," the BoM said.
Flash flooding could impact the Gascoyne region while the Swan River could rise and flood water over Kwinana Freeway in Perth.
Total rainfall of between 15 to 30 millimetres is likely throughout the day, with up to 50 millimetres expected to drench some areas.
Rainfall over inland agricultural areas could range from 10 to 20 millimetres in the west and 5 millimetres in the east.
Shark Bay has received almost 96 millimetres of rain since 6am Monday morning, with 82 millimetres of that total being between midnight and 6am Tuesday morning.
Severe weather services manager Bradley Santos from the Bureau of Meteorology says two weather systems are behind the wild weather with tropical moisture feeding a rain band developing in the Gascoyne region and a cold front brewing in the South West.
"Those two systems will interact with the potential for severe weather over quite a large area of WA from late Monday and throughout Tuesday," Mr Santos said.
He said the Gascoyne could be drenched with up to 100 millimetres of daily rainfall, with isolated falls of up to 150 millimetres and a flood watch in place for the Murchison, Minilya, Gascoyne and Ashburton River catchments.
The heaviest rainfall is expected in coastal parts between Jurien Bay and Walpole, which is also likely to experience rough seas with three to five-metre swells and potential flooding that could cause coastal erosion,
Department of Fire and Emergency Services superintendent John Newman said they'd been working "very closely" with local governments to discourage people from lighting fires in windy weather.
A similar weather warning had been issued by the BoM on Wednesday May 23 before about 50 fires broke out in the City of Albany, including a DFES blaze which burnt through Stirling Range National Park, fanned by wind gusts of more than 100km/h.
Similar conditions are expected when the storm hits Albany, with only light rain predicted to fall in the area.
Very rough seas are expected from Shark Bay to Kalbarri with tides rising well above their normal high mark and flash flooding possible between Carnarvon and Kalbarri.
It's likely to rain over Perth until the weekend, with the chance of thunderstorms extending from late Tuesday to Thursday before showers clear on Sunday.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services advises:
- 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
Forecast for Perth:
Tuesday: Rain, possible storm - 20C
Wednesday: Showers, possible late storm - 17C
Thursday: Showers, possible storm - 17C
Friday: A shower or two - 18C
Saturday: Showers, possible late storm - 20C
Sunday: Possible morning storm, showers - 21C
Monday: Shower or two - 21C
AAP