The following alerts have been issued by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).
Date of issue: 16 January 2024
Take action with severe thunderstorms coming in parts of the Midwest-Gascoyne, Goldfields-Midlands and parts of the Perth Metropolitan area.
Locations which may be affected include Mount Magnet, Northam, Dalwallinu, Dowerin, Gingin, Paynes Find, Wongan Hills, Bullsbrook, Lower Chittering, Ellenbrook, Gidgegannup, Kalamunda, Roleystone, Walliston and Midland you should take action and stay safe with severe thunderstorms to come.
WHAT TO DO:
- 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.
WEATHER DETAILS:
At 16/01/2024 12:02:00 the Bureau of Meteorology advised a low pressure trough near the west coast combines with an unstable airmass to generate severe thunderstorms this afternoon and into the evening.
VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding, damaging winds and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours.
At 16/01/2024 12:02:00 the Bureau of Meteorology advised a low pressure trough near the west coast combines with an unstable airmass to generate severe thunderstorms this afternoon and into the evening. Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds in the warning area over the next several hours.
At 16/01/2024 12:24:00 the Bureau of Meteorology advised severe thunderstorms likely to produce damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding were detected near Chittering and Red Hill. They are forecast to affect Bullsbrook and Lower Chittering by 12:45 pm and Ellenbrook, Gidgegannup and Midland by 1:15 pm.
ROAD CLOSURES AND CONDITIONS:
Some roads may be closed.
Take extra care on the roads and do not drive into water of unknown depth and current.
Road information may also be available from Main Roads WA by visiting the Main Roads Travel Map, calling 138 138 or by contacting your Local Government Authority.
WHAT EMERGENCY SERVICES ARE DOING:
- DFES is monitoring the situation.
IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE:
- If it is safe to do so, please do what you can to help yourself before calling the SES for 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.
