Time of issue: 3.30pm
Date of issue: 10 January 2013
BLUE Alert for the coastal and island communities from Whim Creek to Mardie in the Pilbara
COMMUNITY ALERT LEVEL:
A BLUE ALERT is current for people in or near the coastal and island communities from Whim Creek to Mardie in the Pilbara including Wickham, Roebourne, Point Samson, Karratha and Dampier.
Although there is no immediate danger you need to start preparing for dangerous weather and keep up to date.
WHAT TO DO:
State Emergency Service (SES) advises you to:
- Get ready for dangerous weather by preparing your home inside and out.
- Secure or remove loose material from around your home.
- Ensure your emergency kit is complete and check your family knows what to do.
CYCLONE WARNING is current for coastal areas from Whim Creek to Coral Bay in the Pilbara and Midwest Gascoyne regions including Karratha, Dampier, Onslow and Exmouth
You should review your family cyclone plan and the community alerts system, and make sure everyone knows what to do. Organise an emergency kit with a portable battery operated radio, torch, spare batteries and first aid kit.
CYCLONE WATCH is current for coastal areas from Coral Bay to Cape Cuvier in the Midwest Gascoyne region
Keep up to date with the development of the cyclone through radio, television or the internet.
CYCLONE DETAILS:
As at 3.07pm the Bureau of Meteorology advises Category 3 Severe Tropical Cyclone (TC) Narelle was estimated to be 740 kilometres north of Exmouth and 610 kilometres north north-west of Karratha and moving south south-west at 19 kilometres per hour.
Severe TC Narelle is expected to continue moving to the south south-west towards the Northwest Cape and gradually intensify.
Gales with gusts to 100 kilometres per hour are expected to develop in coastal areas between Whim Creek and Onslow including the Karratha area during Friday, then extend west to Exmouth overnight Friday and to Coral Bay Saturday morning. Winds are likely to increase further during Saturday about the west Pilbara coast becoming destructive with wind gusts over 130 kilometres per hour overnight Saturday. Very destructive winds with gusts to 250 kilometres per hour are possible near the cyclone centre.
Gales may extend south to Cape Cuvier during Sunday. Thunderstorm activity will increase about the Pilbara coast on Friday with isolated heavy rainfall and squalls possible. Heavy falls are likely near the west Pilbara coast on Saturday and Sunday. Tides along the west Pilbara coast are likely to rise above the normal high tide mark on Friday night and Saturday with flooding of low lying coastal areas.
ROAD CLOSURES:
Main Roads advises that gusty winds and thunderstorm activity may affect driving conditions, and road conditions are subject to change with further rainfall.
Currently water over the road has been reported at various floodways along the North West Coastal Highway near Minilya Roadhouse. Road users are advised to approach all floodways with extreme caution and obey road closure signs and do not drive into water of unknown depth and current.
If driving through heavy rain, please slow down and turn your lights on or if visibility becomes poor, pull over and park until it passes.
WHAT SES VOLUNTEERS ARE DOING:
Incident management teams have been established to help people that may be impacted by the cyclone.
SES is working closely with WA Police, Western Power, Horizon Power, Main Roads, Local Government, Department of Health, Water Corporation, Department of Education, Department of Indigenous Affairs and Department of Child Protection to minimise the impact on the community.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS:
- For SES assistance call 132 500
- In a life threatening situation call 000
- or the latest weather information call 1300 659 210 or visit www.bom.gov.au
- For information about road conditions and closures contact local Police or Main Roads WA on 138 138.
KEEP UP TO DATE:
Call 1300 657 209, visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au or listen to news bulletins.
