Weather Update 11 April at 10.08am CYCLONE ALERT RED AND YELLOW

Published on Sunday, 11 April 2021 at 10:34:35 AM

Good Morning,

 Please see attached the latest Cyclone Alert

 The following alert has been issued by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES)

Please note changes to warning areas as well as updates to cyclone details, road closures and throughout.

For COVID-19 related information refer to the COVID-19 section below.

Time of issue: 10:08 AM
Date of issue: 11 April 2021


Cyclone RED ALERT for Carnarvon to Kalbarri, not including Carnarvon or Kalbarri townsites in the Midwest Gascoyne

COMMUNITY ALERT LEVEL:

A Red Alert is current for people in or near people in or near Carnarvon to Kalbarri, not including Carnarvon or Kalbarri townsites due to Tropical Cyclone Seroja.
There is a threat to lives and homes. You are in danger and need to act immediately.

WHAT TO DO:
DFES advises:

  • Stay inside and shelter in the strongest, safest part of your house or evacuation centre.
  • Keep your emergency kit with you.
  • Stay away from doors and windows, and keep them closed.
  • Stay indoors until the ALL CLEAR is given by authorities.


Cyclone YELLOW ALERT is current for people in or near Minilya Roadhouse to Carnarvon, Kalbarri to Lancelin and in the Shires of Northampton, Chapman Valley, Morawa, Greater Geraldton, Mingenew, Three Springs and Perenjori in the Midwest Gascoyne and Perth Metropolitan

COMMUNITY ALERT LEVEL:

A YELLOW ALERT is current for people in or near Minilya Roadhouse to Carnarvon inclusive, and from Kalbarri to Lancelin inclusive, and extending inland to include the Shires of Northampton, Chapman Valley, Morawa, Greater Geraldton, Mingenew, Three Springs, Perenjori and the townsites of Mullewa, Coorow and Carnamah due to Tropical Cyclone Seroja.


There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a cyclone is approaching the area.
You need to take action and get ready to shelter from a cyclone.

WHAT TO DO:
DFES advises:

  • Put your cyclone plan into action and go to your nearest evacuation centre or safer place.
  • Move vehicles under cover.
  • Fasten cyclone screens, board up or heavily tape exposed windows.
  • Ensure pets and animals are in a safe area.
  • Be aware that shops may now be closing.

STORM SURGE

  • Tropical Cyclone Seroja is expected to result in a significant storm surge along parts of the Shark Bay coast including parts of the Denham townsite.
  • There is a risk that properties in the low lying areas of Denham including Knight Terrace, Barnard Street, Mainland Street, Fry Court and the southern end of Stella Rowley Drive, Paget Street, Brockman Street, Denham Road and Durlacher Street could become inundated as the cyclone approaches and crosses the coast.
  • To view a map of potential inundation areas right click here and open in a new tab. To view on a mobile device press and hold the link for 5 seconds.
  • If you live in the risk area, you need to start preparing now to relocate to a safer place.
  • People who are able to leave Denham can relocate now to the Carnarvon Civic Centre on Camel Lane, Carnarvon, or visit family and friends away from the area.
  • People who unable to leave Denham can relocate to the Denham Recreation Centre located on Francis Road now.
  • If you live in the risk area, you need to start preparing now to relocate to a safer place.
  • This could be with family or friends who live away from the area, or at a local evacuation centre.
  • Move furniture and other items up high to prevent water damage. Store or tie-down loose items which may be moved by strong winds.
  • Prepare an evacuation kit including medicines, clothing, important documents and pet supplies.
  • Consider your evacuation route to make sure it will be accessible.


Cyclone ALL CLEAR advice for Coral Bay to Minilya Roadhouse in the Midwest Gascoyne

COMMUNITY ALERT LEVEL:

An ALL CLEAR advice is current for people in or near Coral Bay to Minilya Roadhouse due to Tropical Cyclone Seroja. The cyclone is no longer a threat in this area. The threat has passed but take care to avoid the dangers caused by damage.

 WHAT TO DO:

DFES advises:

If returning to a damaged property:

  • It is now safe to return home.
  • If returning, take care on the roads, obey road closure signs and do not drive into water of unknown depth and current.
  • Drive slowly and be aware of emergency services personnel who are still working in the area.
  • Be careful of fallen powerlines and trees, broken water and sewerage pipes, loose roof sheeting and other material.
  • Do not walk, swim or play in floodwaters as they are dangerous.
  • Protect your feet with closed shoes.
  • Stack loose material clear of water meters, valves and powerlines.
  • Keep electricity and all electrical and gas appliances turned off until checked by a qualified tradesperson.
  • Never use matches, cigarette lighters or naked flames when entering a building as there may be a gas leak.
  • Take photographs for insurance purposes and contact your insurance company.


CYCLONE DETAILS:
As at 11 April 2021 09:03 AM the Bureau of Meteorology advised:

Tropical Cyclone Seroja is moving rapidly towards the southeast, approaching the west coast of WA and will begin impacting coastal communties this afternoon.

Intensity: Category 2, sustained winds near the centre of 110 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 155 kilometres per hour.
Location: within 55 kilometres of 24.3 degrees South 110.5 degrees East, estimated to be 355 kilometres west northwest of Denham and 530 kilometres northwest of Kalbarri.
Movement: south south-east at 31 kilometres per hour.

Seroja is expected to intensify a little during Sunday, possibly reaching Severe Category 3 intensity as it accelerates southeastwards towards the coast. It is likely weaken to Category 2 prior to crossing the coast, though a Severe Category 3 impact remains a slight risk. Significant impacts are expected to extend well inland from the coast through to Wheat Belt communities during Sunday night. The cyclone will weaken as it moves inland on Monday but is still likely to result in damaging wind gusts, particularly to the north and east of the track, and heavy rain close to the track, as it moves through the eastern Wheat Belt, southern Goldfields and South East Coastal district.

Hazards:
Gales with gusts to 100 kilometres per hour are likely to develop in an area between Minilya Roadhouse and Kalbarri during Sunday afternoon. Gales will extend inland into the southern Gascoyne and northern Wheatbelt overnight.

Destructive winds with gusts to 150 kilometres per hour are forecast to occur close to the centre of Seroja as it moves across the coast and into adjacent inland parts. The most likely area to experience destructive wind gusts is on the coast from Denham to Geraldton; however destructive gusts above 125 kilometres per hour may extend inland as far as a line from Dalwallinu to Paynes Find.

People near Denham may see gales as early as midday on Sunday, and may experience destructive winds for aperiod after 3pm. 

People near Kalbarri may see gales as early as 4pm are likely to experience destructive winds from 6pm (more likely around 7pm).

People near Geraldton may see gales as early as 6pm are likely to experience a brief period of destructive winds around 9 pm. If the track shifts a little south from the current forecast, Geraldton will experience a longer period of more intense winds.

Seroja will be moving fast, so weather conditions will deteriorate rapidly as it approaches.

Heavy to intense rainfall and flash flooding are likely close to the track of Seroja during Sunday and Monday.

Abnormally high tides could cause minor inundation at the coast between Coral Bay and Lancelin, increasing to serious flooding in the Denham and Shark Bay region and near Kalbarri. Dangerous surf and beach erosion is expected between Denham and Geraldton.

For current Bureau of Meteorology Watch and Warnings visit www.bom.gov.au/cyclone.

COVID-19:
What to do if you are self-isolating or quarantining due to COVID-19:

  • If you are in an area subject to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, put your cyclone plan into action now and continue to follow precautions to minimise spread of the virus.

 

  • If you have been personally directed to self-isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19:
  • Decide where you will shelter during the cyclone. If it is not safe to shelter in your current location, find alternative suitable premises and wear a mask.
  • If a Red Alert has been issued for your location, shelter in place immediately.
  • If you are in a storm surge risk area, find alternative suitable premises and wear a mask.
  • If you are unable to return to your quarantine location within one hour, telephone WA Police on 131 444 to advise them you have had to leave due to an emergency.
  • Regardless of your location, continue to follow COVID-19 precautions and maintain appropriate physical distancing.

ROAD CLOSURES AND CONDITIONS:

The following roads will be closed from 10am today (Sunday):

  • Shark Bay Road from North West Coastal Highway to Denham - Westbound
  • Monkey Mia Road from Denham to Monkey Mia - Westbound 
  • North West Coastal Highway from Overlander Roadhouse to Geraldton - Southbound 
  • Brand Highway from the Gingin intersection to Geraldton - Northbound
  • Midlands Road from the northern departure point, Moora to Brand Highway - Northbound
  • Indian Ocean Drive from Lancelin turnoff to Brand Highway - Northbound
  • Geraldton-Mt Magnet Road from Mount Magnet to Geraldton - Westbound
  • Never drive into water of unknown depth and current.
  • Road information may also be available from Main Roads WA by visiting travelmap.mainroads.wa.gov.au calling 138 138 or by contacting your Local Government Authority.

SAFER PLACE:

  • Your safest option may be to visit family or friends who live away from the area.
  • The Department of Communities has set up three evacuation centres. These include the Irwin Recreation Centre, 1 Ridley Street, Port Denison. Another at the Carnarvon Civic Centre, Camel Lane, Carnarvon and also Shark Bay Recreation Centre located on Francis Road, Denham.
  • From 9am today (Sunday), a free bus service will run between the Old Train Station, Chapman Road in Geraldton to the Evacuation Centre in Port Denison for those who are unable to relocate themselves safely. The bus will depart every hour, on the hour. Please bring essential items and bedding, pillows and blankets. Pets cannot be taken so please make alternative arrangements for them. 
  • People who are self-isolating or quarantining due to COVID-19 should find alternative suitable premises and wear a mask.
  • If this is not possible, proceed to the evacuation centre and identify yourself to centre staff immediately on arrival.
  • Continue to follow COVID-19 precautions and maintain appropriate physical distancing.
  • Please take any essential items such as medications and identification to the evacuation centre.
  • Pets (except recognised assistance animals) are not allowed inside evacuation centres for health and safety reasons, so you should make alternative arrangements for them.

ANIMAL WELFARE, PARK CLOSURES AND SANDBAGS:

ANIMAL WELFARE (NOT INCLUDING RED ALERT AREA - IT IS TOO LATE)

  • Animal owners are encouraged to prepare an animal emergency kit now with sufficient food, water, essential medications, halters and leads, cages and bedding adequate for several days.
  • Provide food and water in an area least likely to flood. Provide supplementary feed (such as hay) for livestock.
  • For properties in danger of flooding, move all stock to the highest area of the property away from water sources and plains likely to flood.
  • Consider raising food stores to elevated ground to prevent flood damage.
  • Consider opening internal property gates to allow animals to move to dry ground.
  • Be aware of the risks to your animals and your property and keep yourself updated during high-risk periods.
  • For more information visit the

Evacuating Animals and Safer Areas for Animals webpages.

 

PARK CLOSURES:

There are multiple park closures in the warning area. Visit www.emergency.wa.gov.au for more information.

SANDBAGS:

Those requiring sandbags in the Geraldton area can collect them from the following two locations at any time: 

  • Pages Beach
  • Geraldton SES Unit, 15 Spicer Close, Moonyoonooka (limit of 12 per person) 


WHAT EMERGENCY SERVICES ARE DOING:

  • DFES is monitoring the situation.
  • DFES personnel have been deployed to Geraldton in preparation for Tropical Cyclone Seroja.
    • The Incident Management Team are planning for all contingencies pre and post impact of Tropical Cyclone Seroja, to ensure the safety of the community.
    • State Emergency Service (SES) Volunteers from Geraldton/Greenough, Kalbarri, Shark Bay and Carnarvon are assisting with operations and ready to respond if requested.
    • Marine Rescue Geraldton are assisting with radio warnings.
    • Local Volunteer Fire and Rescue and Bush Fire Brigades across the Midwest Gascoyne and Pilbara are ready to respond and assist.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS:

  • For SES assistance call 132 500
  • In a life threatening situation call 000
  • For 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:
Visit www.emergency.wa.gov.au, call 13 DFES (13 3337), follow DFES on Twitter: twitter.com/dfes_wa, Facebook: facebook.com/dfeswa/, listen to ABC Local Radio, or news bulletins.

During a power outage, your home phone, computer or other electronic devices connected to the NBN will not work. Include a battery powered radio in your emergency kit.

Updates will be provided when the situation changes


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