Locations which may be affected include Katanning, Merredin, Narrogin, Northam, Wagin and Wongan Hills.

Thunderstorms Coming


Article heading image for Locations which may be affected include Katanning, Merredin, Narrogin, Northam, Wagin and Wongan Hills.

The following alert has been issued by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).


Take action with severe thunderstorms coming in parts of the Goldfields-Midlands, Great Southern 

If you live in parts of the Great Southern and Central Wheatbelt districts you should take action and stay safe with severe thunderstorms to come. 

Locations which may be affected include Katanning, Merredin, Narrogin, Northam, Wagin and Wongan Hills. 

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 16/01/2018 09:30:00 the Bureau of Meteorology advised severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds, heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and large hailstones in the warning area from 2pm on Tuesday, and continue into the evening. A surface trough through the area combined with mid level instability and high levels of moisture is conducive to severe thunderstorms this afternoon. Storms could cause damage to homes and property. If storms develop they are likely to be more intense than usual and dangerous weather conditions may occur in some parts of the warning area.


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 by calling Main Roads WA on 138 138 or visiting www.mainroads.wa.gov.au or 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 www.emergency.wa.gov.au, call 13 DFES (13 3337), follow DFES on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dfes_wa, Facebook: https://facebook.com/dfeswa/, listen to ABC Local Radio or listen to news bulletins.  

Updates will be provided when the situation changes.

16 January 2018




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