Parts Of Northam Told To Prepare To Evacuate Due To Flooding

Avon River Rising


Article heading image for Parts Of Northam Told To Prepare To Evacuate Due To Flooding

UPDATED: 2:23pm

Following recent rains and more to come, people in Northam around Muluckine and Seabrook are being told to prepare to evacuate.

Water levels from the Avon River are predicted to continue rising which could cause havoc.

Parts of the river are expected to rise past 4m overnight and into tomorrow.

The Department for Child Protection and Family Support has set up a temporary evacuation centre at the Northam Recreation Centre, Henry St Oval in east Northam

The full alert from DFES is below.

People in south east Northam in the Shire of Northam in the Muluckine and Seabrook areas should PREPARE TO EVACUATE due to flooding.

The Bureau of Meteorology advises rapid and powerful flooding is going to occur in the Avon River catchment including Mortlock River in south east Northam today.

People in this area should prepare to evacuate.

WHAT TO DO:
DFES advises you to:

  • Know where you will go. This may be to family and friends away from the area or to your nearest temporary evacuation centre.
  • Tell other people of your plan and where will go.
  • Pack an emergency kit, including warm clothes, valuables, important papers, canned food and water in waterproof bags.
  • Make sure everyone in your family is wearing strong shoes and suitable clothing.
  • Disconnect power, water and gas supplies.
  • Raise furniture, clothing and valuables on to beds, tables and into your roof space if possible.
  • Secure loose objects and outdoor equipment.
  • Relocate chemicals and poisons safely.
  • Create sandbags by filling pillow cases with sand and be ready to place them in toilets and over drains to prevent sewerage backflow.
  • Move vehicles to higher, safer ground.
  • Make sure your neighbours have received this warning.

Prepare for flooding in parts of the Goldfields-Midlands districts.


People in Avon River catchment including Mortlock River in south east Northam should prepare for possible Minor flooding expected today and over the coming days. This includes Beverley, York and Toodyay.

There is no immediate danger but you need to keep up to date in case the situation changes.

WHAT TO DO: 
DFES advises you to:

  • Prepare to relocate equipment and livestock early so they are not caught in floodwaters.
  • Prepare an emergency kit including enough canned food and water to last for four days, as well as clothing, important documents and medication.
  • Fill your vehicle's fuel tank.
  • Watch for changes in water levels so you are ready if you need to evacuate
  • Never walk, swim or play in floodwaters or drains, as they are dangerous.
  • Stay out of rivers, this includes no swimming or kayaking.
  • Do not park or camp adjacent to rivers.

IF DRIVING:

  • Be careful at crossings and floodways as river levels may rise rapidly.
  • 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.
  • Carry extra food and water when travelling in case of long delays at crossings.

SAFER PLACE:

  • The Department for Child Protection and Family Support has set up a temporary evacuation centre at Northam Recreation Centre, Henry St Oval in east Northam
  • Be aware that only essential items can be taken into these centres. Alcohol and pets, except guide and assistance dogs, are prohibited.
  • Pets can be be registered at the evacuation centre and will be housed at a nearby location

ROAD CLOSURES:

Roads have been closed including:

Shire of Northam:

  • All gravel roads in the Shire of Northam are closed (only open to local traffic)
  • Carter Road commodity Route (Northam end)
  • Katrine Road (near Vivesh Reserve)
  • Parker Road, Grass Valley
  • Wellington/Gairdner Street, Northam (Near PCYC)
  • Wellington Street, Northam (near Water Corporation Yard)
  • Turner Street, Northam
  • Wongamine Road, Irishtown
  • Southern Brook Road, near Jennapullin 
  • Jennapullin Road, Clydesdale floodway
  • Trimmer Road, Spencers Brook
  • DeCastilla Road, Bakers Hill - approx 5km from Highway
  • Christmas Road, Grass Valley

 
Cunderdin/Quairading

  • Cunderdin-Quairading Road between Goldfields Road and Quairading

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 your local shire.

SAFEST ROUTE TO LEAVE:

If you live in Muluckine or Seabrook you can leave via Muluckine Road or Carter Road through Grass Valley and along Great Eastern Highway towards east Northam.

FLOOD DETAILS: 
As at 10/02/2017 12:55:00 the Bureau of Meteorology advises a tropical low west of Carnarvon will move further west over the next few days.A rain band associated with this system lies over the south of the State and will move south during Friday before easing. For the 24 hours to 9 am Thursday, widespread rainfall totals of 20 mm to 40 mm have been recorded in the eastern parts of the Avon River catchment. For the 24 hours to 7 am Friday, widespread rainfall of 60 mm has been recorded in western parts of the Avon River catchment, with isolated heavier falls also recorded with the highest being 75 mm at Yangedine.As a result, significant river level rises and areas of flooding are expected to develop in the Avon River catchment during Friday into the weekend. The Mortlock River North at Frenches is currently peaking above the major flood level. .

Avon River to Beverley:
Major flooding may occur along the Avon River to Beverley.

The Avon River at Beverley Bridge is currently at 1.23 metres and steady. The Avon River at Beverley Bridge is likely to exceed the minor flood level (1.50 metres Friday afternoon. The river level may reach the major flood level (2.50 metres) Saturday afternoon.

Avon River from Beverley to Northam:
Major flooding is likely along the Avon River from Beverley to Northam.

The Avon River at Balladong Street York is currently at 2.26 metres and rising.
The Avon River at Balladong Street York is likely to exceed the minor flood level (2.50 m) Friday afternoon. The river level is likely to reach the major flood level (4.00 metres) overnight Friday into Saturday.

The Avon River at Northam Weir is currently at 0.64 metres and rising. The Avon River at Northam Weir is likely to exceed the minor flood level (1.50 metres) late Saturday afternoon. The river level may reach the moderate flood level (1.80 m) Sunday morning.

Avon River from Northam to Toodyay:
Major flooding is likely along the Avon River from Northam to Toodyay. 

The Avon River at Stirling Terrace Toodyay is currently at 2.61 metres and rising.
The Avon River at Stirling Terrace Toodyay is likely to exceed the moderate flood level (3.50 metres) late Friday evening. The river level is likely to reach the major flood level (4.00 metres) Saturday afternoon.


Current river levels are available from Department of Water at www.water.wa.gov.au  

For the latest flood information visit www.bom.gov.au/wa/flood or call 1300 659 213

 

Current river levels are available from Department of Water 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 monitoring the situation.
  • have received more than 16 calls for help since 24 hours
  • Damage has been reported Goldfields Midlands .
  • Flood damage


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        

10 February 2017




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