SES responds as storm hits Perth and the South West
Midday Update
State Emergency Service (SES) Volunteers have answered more than 52 calls for help after a cold front hit Perth and the South West overnight. SES units from Stirling, with eight call outs, and Cockburn, with seven call outs, were the busiest in the mteropolitan area. Coastal suburbs have been the most affected by the storm.
First Report
State Emergency Service (SES) has answered 37 calls for help after a cold front hit Perth and the South West overnight. The SES received 31 calls for assistance in the metropolitan area and six in the South West. The majority of the calls related to water damage. The number of calls for help is likely to increase as people wake up. People are being urged to do what they can to help themselves, if it is safe to do so, before calling the SES for assistance.
More bad weather coming from Perth to Corrigin to Lake Grace to Bremer Bay. If you live south west of a line from Perth to Corrigin to Lake Grace to Bremer Bay you should take action and stay safe with more bad weather to come. This includes people in, near and between Augusta, Busselton, Bunbury, Mandurah, the Perth metropolitan area, Albany, Bridgetown, Margaret River, Narrogin and Katanning and surrounding areas. This type of weather only occurs once or twice a year and could cause major damage to homes and make travel dangerous.
WHAT TO DO:
- Close your curtains and blinds, and stay inside away from windows
- If caught outside find safe shelter away from trees, powerlines, storm water drains and streams
- 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 DRIVING:
- Slow down, turn your lights on and keep a safe distance from other drivers
- If it is raining heavily and you cannot see, pull over and park with your hazard lights on until the rain clears
- Take care in areas that have been flooded and do not drive into water of unknown depth and current
- Be careful driving on gravel roads as surfaces will be slippery and muddy, and vehicles could become bogged.
WEATHER DETAILS:
As at 3.44amon 8 May 2013 the Bureau of Meteorology advises during Wednesday and Thursday a deep low will pass to the south of the state. During Wednesday strong and squally winds are expected within the warning area. From Wednesday night the passage of the low is likely to cause damaging winds to 100 kilometres per hour that could result in damage to homes and property.
In isolated areas dangerous gusts in excess of 125 kilometres per hour could cause significant damage or destruction to homes and property. The worst of the weather is expected to be south of a line from Bunbury to Bremer Bay. Abnormally high tides which may cause sea water flooding of low lying areas are forecast for the Lower West forecast district and South West forecast districts.
Dangerous surf conditions are likely which could cause significant beach erosion from Wednesday evening.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS:
- If your home has been badly damaged by storm call the SES on 132 500
- In a life threatening situation call 000
- For the latest weather information visit www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 213
- To report downed powerlines call Western Power on 13 13 51
After the storm SES volunteers make temporary repairs to homes that have been badly damaged, such as roofs that have been ripped off or large fallen trees on homes and cars. Please contact your insurance company to organise permanent repairs.
