A "once-in-10-year" flooding event is currently underway in WA's Gascoyne region, with the river expected to peak at 7.1 metres.
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Aerial shots show parts of the region completely covered by water, with just the tops of trees and buildings visible.
Premier Mark McGowan on Saturday said he'd been advised such significant flooding had not been seen in the region since 2010.
He said emergency services have been responding to calls for help.
Roads are closed throughout the affected areas and people are being warned not to take risks through floodwaters.
"A flood can take control of a 4WD vehicle in just 30cm of flowing water. If the road is closed, it's closed," Mr McGowan said.
Road closures include the North West Coastal Highway from the Overlander Roadhouse north to Carnarvon and through to Coral Bay.
Residents in the Midwest-Gascoyne, Perth, South West and Lower South West are encouraged to stay safe by sheltering away from powerlines, trees, stormwater drains and streams.
The Bureau of Meteorology said it has tracked a light pressure system over the last week or so over the Kimberley, Pilbara and Gascoyne. Some sites have received more than 200mm of rain, which has led to the rising level of the Gascoyne River.
"It's currently running at 7m at Nine Mile Bridge and expected to peak at 7.1m at around 3pm today," a BOM spokesman said on Saturday.
No further heavy rainfall is expected over those areas.
Other rivers rising include the Wooramel, Ashburton, Murchison and Greenough, Lyndon-Minilya and the Fitzroy.
The extreme weather is also forecast to create damaging wind gusts and abnormally high tides along the coast.
Mr McGowan said it had been a challenging week with the state hit by storms, a five-day lockdown in certain areas and bushfires in the Perth Hills.
Australian Associated Press
