Batten down: wild weather to hit Perth and the South West
The first storm to hit Western Australia this winter will bring destructive winds similar to those which fanned the Albany bushfires last month, with a flooding alert for the Gascoyne and Pilbara regions.
A severe weather warning has been issued for coastal residents between Windy Harbour and Kalbarri, including the Perth metropolitan.
After a sunny weekend with temperatures in the low twenties, residents are being warned to prepare for damaging wind gusts up to 100km/h late on Monday night and heavy rain developing on Tuesday.
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.
Rough seas with three to five-metre swells and potential flooding could also impact coastal areas between Jurien Bay and Walpole, including beach erosion.
Wind gusts exceeding 125km/h and capable of destroying homes could batter residents on the coast from Bunbury to Walpole on Monday night and Tuesday morning as the storm front passes over the area.
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 late on Monday, with only light rain predicted to fall in the area.
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
AAP