Emergency crews are in for a long night after today's storm.
MORE than 150 FESA State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers from 18 units will continue to work into the night to help the community after a widespread storm hit the Perth metropolitan area, South West and Lower South West area this afternoon.
As at 8.45pm the Bureau of Meteorology advises a severe weather warning is current for for locally damaging wind south of a line from Bremer Bay to Lake King to Israelite Bay.
WHAT TO DO:
The SES advises you to:
Keep away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways
Be careful of fallen trees, damaged buildings and fallen powerlines, they are dangerous and should always be treated as live
Assess your home, property and car for damage
Check on friends and neighbours to see if they need help.
If driving, take extra care on the roads:
Slow down and keep a safe distance from other drivers
Take care in areas that have been flooded and do not drive into water of unknown depth and current
If you are in the country be careful driving on gravel roads as surfaces will be slippery and muddy, and vehicles could become bogged.
If your home has been damaged:
Be careful of debris and damaged buildings
If asbestos has been damaged on your property you should seek professional advice before attempting any repairs or clean up because it could be dangerous
If your home has structural damage like a badly damaged roof or flooding, call the SES on 132 500
Take photographs as soon as possible for insurance purposes and contact your insurance company to organise permanent repairs
Start cleaning up around your home – stack loose material such as branches and debris away from water meters, valves and telephone lines.
People are being urged to do what they can to help themselves before calling the SES for assistance.
INCIDENT INFORMATION:
The SES has received more than 525 calls for help across the metropolitan area, South West and Lower South West since this afternoon.
There are 342 jobs yet to be completed.
Mandurah, Rockingham and Bunbury were the areas worst hit by the storm.
Calls have involved reports of major structural damage, minor damage to homes and roofs as well as fallen trees on homes, cars and fences.
There has been widespread damage to utilities, railway infastructure damage to boomgates and debris on roadways.
Bunbury Regional Hospital sustained damage to windows in the paediatric wing, however the hospital is continuing to operate normally.
Assumption Catholic Primary School in Mandurah will be closed tomorrow after sustaining major storm damage.
FESA is working closely with WA Police, Western Power, Main Roads WA and Local Government to minimise the impact on the community.
ROAD CLOSURES AND TRAFFIC LIGHT OUTAGES:
The following roads have been closed:
Mandurah Road is currently closed in both directions at Dixon Road due to fallen trees and power lines. Western Power are on site.
Collie-Williams Road is closed in both directions between Collie and Williams. Drivers travelling from Williams to Collie can detour via Williams-Darkan Road then right at the Darkan turn off to head to Collie. Drivers travelling from Collie to Williams can use Williams-Darkan Road then turn right onto Pinjarra-Williams Road to access Darkan/Williams.
Some local roads in the South West may be closed.
Main Roads WA advises there are approximately 50 sets of traffic signals blacked out across the Perth metropolitan area due to various power outages. They are working hard to restore as many sets as possible however this may take some time. Drivers are asked to proceed with caution when approaching these intersections.
For more information contact WA Police or Main Roads WA on 138 138.
WEATHER DETAILS:
As of 8.45pm the Bureau of Meteorology advises the deep low has passed to the south of the state.
There is a possibility of locally damaging winds to 100 kilometres per hour that could cause damage to property.
By midnight Sunday the winds are expected to ease throughout the warning area.
A wind gust to 139 kilometres per hour was recorded at Cape Naturaliste just prior to 2 pm.
Tides in Geographe Bay rose around a metre above the normal high tide mark during the afternoon.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS:
For SES assistance call 132 500
In a life threatening situation call 000
For information about road conditions contact Main Roads WA on 138 138
To report downed power lines call Western Power on 13 13 51
For the latest weather information visit www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 213
For advice on damaged asbestos contact your insurance company, local government environmental health officer or Department of Health on 9388 4999 or after hours on 9328 0553
KEEP UP TO DATE:
Call 1300 657 209, visit www.fesa.wa.gov.au or listen to news bulletins.