A severe weather warning was issued on Saturday morning for residents in Bunbury, Busselton, Manjimup, Margaret River, Augusta and Dunsborough.
If you live in Bunbury, Busselton, Manjimup, Margaret River, Augusta, Dunsborough and the surrounding areas, you need to get ready now for the severe weather coming tonight.
The weather is not unusual for this time of year, but 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 10.38 on Saturday, August 12, the Bureau of Meteorology advised an approaching cold front will move over the South West of the state during Saturday evening.
Thunderstorms and showers associated with the front may bring damaging winds to 100 kilometres per hour and could cause damage to homes and property in the warning area.
Isolated gusts in exposed coastal areas south of Augusta may reach 125 kilometres per hour.
Moderate to heavy rainfall is possible and may lead to localised flooding.
Flood watches are current for the Lower West and South West districts.
The front will also affect the adjacent Lower West, South Coastal and western Great Southern and the remaining South West District outside the warning area.
A period of gusty winds and moderate rainfall is likely, although conditions are not expected to be severe over these parts.
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.
WEATHER CONDITION FOR REMAINDER OF WEEKEND
A second, stronger cold front is expected to pass over the South West of the state during Sunday night and early Monday morning, with damaging winds and moderate to heavy falls likely to affect areas southwest of a line Lancelin to Albany.
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 emergency.wa.gov.au, call 13 DFES (13 3337), follow DFES on Twitter and Facebook, listen to ABC Local Radio or listen to news bulletins.