The following alert has been issued by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services(DFES).
Time of issue: 1.15pm
Date of issue: 21 January 2013
Cyclone advice from Pardoo to Onslow in the Pilbara
If you live in the Pilbara between Pardoo and Onslow you need to prepare your home and family for a possible cyclone, with the development of a tropical low off the Western Australian coast.
This includes people in Port Hedland and surrounding areas.
Remember that preparing your home and family for a cyclone is your responsibility.
WHAT TO DO:
State Emergency Service (SES) advises you to:
- Review your family cyclone plan and make sure everyone knows what to do.
- Prepare your home inside and out.
- Organise an emergency kit with a portable battery operated radio, torch, spare batteries and first aid kit.
- Know the community cyclone alert system and the steps that must be taken for each alert.
- Changes in cyclone behaviour can occur quickly so be aware and regularly monitor community alerts.
CYCLONE DETAILS:
As at 12.26pm the Bureau of Meteorology advises the tropical low is located 30 kilometres south south-east of Broome and 455 kilometres east north-east of Port Hedland and moving south-west at 10 kilometres per hour parallel to the coast. The low may develop into a tropical cyclone by Wednesday as it moves to the west south-west off the Pilbara coastline. Gales are not expected in coastal areas within the next 24 hours, but if the system does reach cyclone intensity then gales could develop between Pardoo and Onslow on Wednesday.
Community alerts will be issued by DFES if the cyclone comes closer.
There are four stages of alerts – Blue, Yellow, Red and All Clear.
- BLUE ALERT means prepare for dangerous weather.
- YELLOW ALERT means take action and get ready to shelter from a cyclone.
- RED ALERT means go to shelter immediately.
- ALL CLEAR means that wind and storm surge dangers have passed but you need to take care to avoid the dangers caused by damage.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS:
For SES assistance call 132 500.
In a life threatening situation call 000.
For weather information visit www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 210.
KEEP UP TO DATE:
Call 1300 657 209, visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au or listen to news bulletins.
For more information on how to prepare, a copy of Cyclone Smart is available at www.dfes.wa.gov.au
