Northam and York residents are being advised to take action and stay safe with severe weather to come.
The warning was issued by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) at 5am this morning.
Locations affected include Perth, Northam, York, Gingin, Lancelin, Yanchep, and Rottnest Island.
This weather is not unusual for this time of year, but could damage homes and make travel dangerous.
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.
- 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
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 by contacting your local Shire.
LIVESTOCK:
- The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development advises:
- Livestock owners with stock in low-lying areas that may be subject to flooding should act early to move stock to higher ground. This includes moving stock out of paddocks on river frontage where stock could get trapped on islands as river heights rise.
- Sheep owners may also choose to move sheep to paddocks that offer protection from cold winds.
- Plan to move water supply pump motors for domestic, stock or irrigation early to prevent damage from rising waters.
- Livestock owners should monitor the BOM, Emergency WA and DPIRD cyclone/flood websites for regular updates and act early to prevent farm losses.
WHAT EMERGENCY SERVICES ARE DOING:
DFES is monitoring the situation.
Emergency services have answered more than 37 calls for help since 7 am.
State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers respond on a priority basis and people are asked to remain patient.
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.
