DFES advises us to prepare now for the storms coming this afternoon

Get ready now for storms in parts of the Goldfields-Midlands, Great Southern, South West, Lower South West & Perth Metropolitan areas.

If you live in the Lower West, South West, South Coastal, Great Southern and parts of Central West, South East Coastal and Central Wheat Belt districts you need to get ready now for the storms coming this afternoon.

Locations which may be affected include Albany, Bunbury, Busselton, Esperance, Katanning, Mandurah, Manjimup, Margaret River, Mount Barker, Narrogin, Northam and Perth. 

This weather is unusual for this time of year, and could damage homes and make travel dangerous.

WHAT TO DO:

DFES has these tips to help you and your family get ready now: 
•    Store or weigh down loose objects around your home like outdoor furniture that could be picked up and thrown by strong winds, causing damage or injury
•    Ensure your emergency kit is complete including a battery operated radio, torch, spare batteries and first aid kit
•    Ensure pets and animals are in a safe area
•    Move vehicles under cover
•    Boat owners should securely moor their boats
•    Campers should find safe shelter away from trees, powerlines, storm water drains and streams
•    Unplug electrical appliances and avoid using landline telephone if there is lightning.

If you are away from home contact family or friends to prepare your property. 

WEATHER DETAILS:

At 05/05/2020 10:58:00 the Bureau of Meteorology advised The first widespread cool season weather event to affect Perth and southwest WA this year is likely from Tuesday afternoon, extending into Wednesday.A deep low pressure system and associated cold front are approaching the south west corner of Western Australia. The system will bring very strong, gusty winds and a cold, unstable airmass over the southwest land division from Tuesday afternoon and continuing into Wednesday.Widespread damaging winds, averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts to around 100km/h are likely and could cause damage to homes and property.Locally dangerous winds, averaging 80 to 90 km/h with peak gusts in excess of 125 km/h are possible and could cause significant damage or destruction to homes and property.These winds are expected to develop around the southwest capes after 2pm and then extending from Perth to Albany after 6pm Tuesday before moving through remaining parts of the warning area during Tuesday evening and early Wednesday morning. The severe weather is expected to continue during Wednesday with the warning area gradually contracting to near south coastal parts.Higher than normal tides may cause flooding of low-lying coastal areas within the warning area from early Wednesday morning.Damaging surf conditions are also likely from later Tuesday and through Wednesday, which could cause significant beach erosion to coastal locations within the warning area.This front is expected to be windier than a typical cold front and is likely to produce the kind of weather that is only seen in Southwest WA about 2 times per year. 

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 calling 138 138 or visiting travelmap.mainroads.wa.gov.au.

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 radio news bulletins.

During a power outage, your home phone, computer or other electronic devices connected to the NBN will not work. Include a battery powered radio in your emergency kit. 

Updates will be issued if further information becomes available.