Severe weather safety message

Published on 01 February 2022

The Shire would like to remind everyone to be safe and alert in this severe weather, particularly around our Shire Roads and Reserves.

The heavy rainfall can cause conditions to change quickly so please stay alert.

If you see any Hazards please report them through to the Shire on 9191 3456.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA (DFES) have shared the below in regard to driving conditions in this severe weather;

Take action with severe weather coming in parts of the Kimberley, Pilbara

Please note that all non-essential travel in the Kimberley region, including Broome and surrounding areas, should be delayed.

Ongoing rainfall will continue to create dangerous driving conditions.

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.

- People in the north of WA may experience this type of weather each year at this time but heavy rain may cause damage to property and make road conditions hazardous.

WEATHER DETAILS:

At 31/01/2022 04:50:00 the Bureau of Meteorology advised an active monsoon trough extends across the Kimberley. A developing tropical low over the southeast Kimberley is moving west and will become slow moving across the southern Kimberley or adjacent North Interior on Monday.

Heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding is possible with daily rainfall totals of 100 to 180 mm with isolated heavier falls to 200 to 250 mm.

Locally destructive wind gusts with peak gusts in excess of 125 km/hr are likely about the southwest Kimberley. Over the remainder of the western coastal areas of the Kimberley, damaging winds with gusts to 100 kilometres per hour are possible and could cause damage to homes or property in or near thunderstorms.