SEVERE WEATHER WARNING

Severe Weather Warningfor DESTRUCTIVE WINDS, HEAVY RAINFALL, ABNORMALLY HIGH TIDES and DAMAGING SURFFor people in Lower West, South West, South Coastal, Great Southern and parts of Central West, South East Coastal and Central Wheat Belt districts.Issued at 2:51 pm Sunday, 25 July 2021.Squally showers and a strong cold front impact the South West Land Division Monday and Tuesday.Weather Situation: A strong cold front will approach the southwest on Monday. Conditions will start to deteriorate across the Perth Metro area and southwest from Monday afternoon, extending eastwards overnight Monday. The strong cold front is expected to reach the far southwest early Tuesday morning before moving east across the South West Land Division during the day.WIDESPREAD DAMAGING WINDS, averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts to around 120 km/h are likely and could cause DAMAGE TO HOMES AND PROPERTY.Locally DANGEROUS WINDS, averaging 80 to 90 km/h with peak gusts of in excess of 125 km/h are possible and could cause SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE OR DESTRUCTION TO HOMES AND PROPERTY.WIDESPREAD DAMAGING WINDS are likely to develop southwest of Bunbury to Bremer Bay from around 2pm AWST Monday, extending to be southwest of Lancelin to Bremer Bay, including the Perth Metro area from around 5pm AWST Monday. DAMAGING WINDS will extend eastward to the remaining warning area overnight Monday.Locally DANGEROUS WINDS are most likely to occur southwest of a line from Bunbury to Bremer Bay and may develop from around 2pm AWST Monday. There is a chance locally DANGEROUS WINDS may extend east to be southwest of Geraldton to Bremer Bay Monday evening and the remainder of the warning area overnight Monday.HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING may develop over the northern South West and southern Lower West districts, particularly near the Darling Scarp from mid afternoon on Monday. Moderate to heavy falls may occur elsewhere in the South West and Lower West districts on Monday afternoon and evening.A Flood Watch has been issued for some catchments in the southwest. See http://www.bom.gov.au/wa/warnings/ for more information.Tides are expected to be HIGHER THAN NORMAL on Monday between Lancelin and Bremer Bay. HIGHER THAN NORMAL TIDES may cause FLOODING OF LOW-LYING COASTAL AREAS with VERY ROUGH SEAS between the SW Capes and Israelite Bay on Tuesday.DAMAGING SURF CONDITIONS are likely which could cause SIGNIFICANT BEACH EROSION between Jurien Bay and Walpole on Monday.This front is expected to be windier than a typical front and is likely to produce the kind of weather that is only seen around twice a year in the southwest of WA.Locations which may be affected include Albany, Bunbury, Esperance, Geraldton, Katanning, Mandurah, Manjimup, Margaret River, Merredin, Moora, Mount Barker, Narrogin, Northam and Perth.The Department of Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should: * If outside find safe shelter away from trees, power lines, storm water drains and streams. * Close your curtains and blinds, and stay inside away from windows. * Unplug electrical appliances and do not use land line telephones if there is lightning. * If boating, swimming or surfing leave the water. * Be alert and watch for hazards on the road such as fallen power lines and loose debris. * Keep away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways. * Be careful of fallen trees, damaged buildings and debris. * Be careful of fallen power lines. They are dangerous and should always be treated as live. * Assess your home, car and property for damage. * If damage has occurred take photos and contact your insurance company to organise permanent repairs. * If your home or property has significant damage, like a badly damaged roof or flooding, call the SES on 132 500. The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 11:00 pm AWST Sunday.Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau’s website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and Department of Fire and Emergency Services would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.