DFES issues severe thunderstorm warning for Perth, Mandurah and the South West

Take action with severe thunderstorms coming in parts of the Goldfields-Midlands, Perth Metropolitan, South West, Great Southern.

If you live in parts of the Lower West, Great Southern and Central Wheat Belt districts you should take action and stay safe with severe thunderstorms to come. 

Locations which may be affected include Mandurah, Perth, Corrigin, Pingelly, Scarborough and York. 

This weather is not unusual for this time of year, but could damage 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.

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 05/08/2019 13:37:00 the Bureau of Meteorology advised showers and thunderstorms are currently occurring over parts of the Perth Metropolitan area. Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and damaging winds in the warning area over the next several hours. 

ROAD CLOSURES AND CONDITIONS: 
Roads have not been 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.
•    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.