Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Gascoyne, Central West, Lower West, South West, South Coastal, Great Southern, Central Wheat Belt and parts of Pilbara, Goldfields and South East Coastal districts.

Issued at 11:27 am Sunday, 24 May 2020.
Widespread severe weather likely over western parts of WA with dangerous weather in some parts.

Weather Situation:
A tropical system is combining with a cold front and trough to produce a vigorous weather system that will affect the length of the west coast during today and Monday. A deep low pressure system is expected to pass near the South West of the state tonight and early Monday morning. There is the possibility of other lows forming along the trough as it impacts the west coast north of Jurien Bay during today. Dangerous weather may occur in some parts, particularly in the vicinity of the lows.

WIDESPREAD DAMAGING WINDS, averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts to around 100 km/h are likely and could cause DAMAGE TO HOMES AND PROPERTY. DAMAGING WINDS are occurring in coastal areas between Onslow and Lancelin, including Geraldton, Exmouth, Carnarvon and Denham. DAMAGING WINDS will extend to southwest of a line from Onslow to Meekatharra to Kalgoorlie to Esperance, including the Perth Metropolitan area, Mandurah, Bunbury, Busselton and Albany during this afternoon and evening.

Locally DANGEROUS WINDS, averaging 80 to 90 km/h with peak gusts of around 130 km/h are possible near the low pressure systems during this afternoon along the west coast north of Jurien Bay. DANGEROUS WINDS are possible overnight and Monday morning southwest of a line Perth to Bremer Bay. DANGEROUS WINDS could cause SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE OR
DESTRUCTION TO HOMES AND PROPERTY.
Winds are expected to ease across the Pilbara and Gascoyne coast overnight tonight.

HEAVY RAINFALL that may lead to FLASH FLOODING is possible northwest of a line from Kalbarri to Onslow during today with isolated rainfall totals to around 100mm. HEAVY RAINFALL may also occur southwest of a line from Kalbarri to Albany from this afternoon with isolated rainfall totals to around 70mm.

Residents in coastal areas between Exmouth and Augusta are specifically warned of the
POTENTIAL OF A DANGEROUS STORM TIDE. Tides are likely to rise SIGNIFICANTLY ABOVE THE NORMAL HIGH TIDE MARK with DAMAGING WAVES and DANGEROUS FLOODING.
DAMAGING SURF CONDITIONS are likely which could cause SIGNIFICANT BEACH EROSION. DAMAGING SURF is expected to continue for coastal parts between Denham and Israelite Bay into Tuesday.

Locations which may be affected include Albany, Bunbury, Busselton, Carnarvon, Esperance, Exmouth, Geraldton, Kalbarri, Kalgoorlie, Katanning, Mandurah, Manjimup, Margaret River, Meekatharra, Merredin, Moora, Mount Barker, Mount Magnet, Narrogin, Norseman, Northam, Onslow and Perth.

The following wind gusts have been recorded:
107 km/h at North Island (offshore from Geraldton) at 9.54am.
96 km/h at Geraldton airport at 11.04am.

The high tide at Busselton peaked at 1.9m at 10.15am, 0.5m above the predicted tide.

The high tide at Fremantle peaked at 1.7m at 10.45am, 0.4m above the predicted tide.

The high tide at Jurien Bay peaked at 1.7m at 10.45am, 0.4m above the predicted tide.

The high tide at Bunbury peaked at 1.5m at 10.45am, 0.4m above the predicted tide.

This is a rare event for WA particularly due to the extent of the area affected and the possibility of multiple areas of dangerous weather.

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.