Severe thunderstorms in parts of the Midwest-Gascoyne, Perth Metropolitan, Goldfields-Midlands | farm weekly

If you live in the Central West and parts of the Gascoyne, Lower West and Central Wheat Belt districts, you should take measures and protect yourself from severe thunderstorms.

Locations that may be affected include Geraldton, Kalbarri, Moora, Northam, Mullewa, Northampton, Wongan Hills, Yalgoo and Yanchep.

WHAT SHOULD I DO:

• When outdoors, find a safe shelter away from trees, power lines, storm drains and streams.
• Close your curtains and blinds and stay away from windows.
• Unplug electrical appliances and avoid landline phones when there is lightning.
• During floods, make your own sandbags by using sand-filled pillowcases and placing them around doorways to protect your home.
• Get out of the water when boating, swimming or surfing.

WHEN DRIVING:

• Do not enter waters of unknown depth and current.
• Slow down, turn on your lights and keep a safe distance from other drivers.
• Be vigilant and watch out for road hazards such as downed power lines and loose debris.
• If it’s raining heavily and you can’t see anything, pull over and park with your hazard lights on until the rain stops.

WEATHER DETAILS:

At 26/03/2022 10:15:00 the Bureau of Meteorology said a trough will combine with a strong upper trough and low to produce extensive thunderstorm activity over parts of south western Western Australia today. Thunderstorm activity is expected to expand eastward later in the afternoon and evening. Severe thunderstorms are likely to generate damaging winds and heavy rains that could cause flash flooding in the warning area for the next few hours

ROAD CLOSURES AND CONDITIONS:

Some roads may be closed

Be extra careful on the roads and do not drive in water of unknown depth and current.

Street information may also be obtained from Main Roads WA by visiting the Main Roads Travel Map, calling 138 138, or contacting your local government agency.

WHAT DO THE EMERGENCY SERVICES DO:

• DFES is monitoring the situation.

IF YOU NEED HELP:

• If it is safe to do so, please do what you can to help yourself before asking SES for help.
• If your home was badly damaged by a storm, call SES on 132 500.
• Call 000 in a life-threatening situation.

After a storm, SES volunteers temporarily repair homes that have been severely damaged, such as: B. torn off roofs or large fallen trees on houses or cars. Please contact your insurance company to organize permanent repairs.

KEEP UP TO DATE:

Visit Emergency WA, call 13 DFES (13 3337), continue to follow DFES TwitterFacebook, listen to ABC Local Radio, 6PR or newscasts.

During a power outage, your phone, computer, or other electronic devices connected to the NBN will not work. Include a battery-powered radio in your emergency kit.

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