A severe weather warning has been issued for Mandurah, along with other areas across Western Australia.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) has advised residents to take action and stay safe in parts of the Midwest-Gascoyne, Goldfields-Midlands, Perth Metropolitan, Great Southern, South-West and Lower South-West.
Locations which may be affected include Bunbury, Geraldton, Mandurah, Margaret River, Moora and Perth.
Earlier this morning, the Bureau of Meteorology advised a cold front was moving through western parts of the South-West and pushing inland resulting in heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding.
Mandurah can expect a top of 19 degrees today with rain and a possible storm likely during the morning and afternoon.
Damaging winds are predicted travelling north to northeasterly 30 to 35 kilometres per hour, shifting west to southwesterly 25 to 35 kilometres per hour in the middle of the day.
The bad weather will continue into Friday with a 95 per cent chance of showers in the early morning and a likely storm clearing.
The Bureau of Meteorology predicts a partly cloudy day with a top of 14 degrees and a thunderstorm likely with possible small hail.
Winds are expected to be south to southwesterly 20 to 30 kilometres per hour, becoming light before dawn then south to southwesterly 15 to 25 kilometres per hour in the early afternoon.
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.
ROAD CLOSURES AND CONDITIONS:
- Roads have not been closed at this stage.
- 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, visiting www.mainroads.wa.gov.au or your local Shire.
WHAT EMERGENCY SERVICES ARE DOING:
- DFES is monitoring the situation.
- If your home has been badly damaged by a storm, call the State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500.
- SES volunteers respond on a priority basis and people are asked to remain patient. 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.
- If you need assistance 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.
