Weather Update 11 April at 2.56pm RED AND YELLOW CYCLONE ALERT

Published on Sunday, 11 April 2021 at 3:12:16 PM

Please note the most latest Alert and Warning below.

 

 

 

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

Please note updates to RED ALERT and YELLOW ALERT warning areas and to CYCLONE DETAILS. Updates have also been made to What Emergency Services are Doing and Road Closures sections.

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


Time of issue: 02:56 PM
Date of issue: 11 April 2021


Cyclone RED ALERT for south of Carnarvon to Lancelin, including the City of Greater Geraldton and the Shires of Carnamah, Coorow, Chapman Valley, Dandaragan, Irwin, Mingenew, Morawa, Northampton, Perenjori, Shark Bay and Three Springs in the Midwest Gascoyne

COMMUNITY ALERT LEVEL:

A RED ALERT is current for an area south of the Carnarvon townsite to Lancelin, including the City of Greater Geraldton and Shires of Carnamah, Coorow, Chapman Valley, Irwin, Mingenew, Morawa, Northampton, Perenjori, Shark Bay and Three Springs 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 between Minilya Roadhouse to Carnarvon in the Midwest Gascoyne

COMMUNITY ALERT LEVEL:

A YELLOW ALERT is current for people between Minilya Roadhouse to Carnarvon, including Minilya Roadhouse and Carnarvon, 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 if safe to do so.
  • 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,it is now too late to leave. 
  • Prepare an evacuation kit including medicines, clothing, important documents and pet supplies.


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 02:44 PM the Bureau of Meteorology advised:

Intensity: Category 3, sustained winds near the centre of 120 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 165 kilometres per hour.
Location: within 30 kilometres of 26.1 degrees South 112.0 degrees East, estimated to be 280 kilometres northwest of Kalbarri and 395 kilometres northwest of Geraldton.
Movement: southeast at 43 kilometres per hour.

Tropical Cyclone Seroja is moving rapidly towards the southeast, and now nearing the WA coast, currently offshore from Shark Bay. Impacts are increasing about the coast between Carnarvon and Denham, and conditions will deteriorate further during this afternoon and evening.

Seroja intensified to Severe Category 3 this morning. It is likely to weaken to Category 2 prior to crossing the coast, though a Severe Category 3 impact remains a slight risk.

Seroja is accelerating southeastwards towards the coast and is likely to be travelling at around 50 kilometres per hour as it crosses the coast.

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. A Severe Weather Warning is current for areas to the southeast.

Due to the imminent impacts for communities updates to the Tropical Cyclone Advice and Track Map will be issued hourly commencing 4pm.

Hazards:

GALES with gusts to 100 kilometres per hour are occurring on the coast from Cape Cuvier down to the Shark Bay area. Gales will extend to the coast near Kalbarri and Geraldton later this afternoon and 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, including Morawa. Towns in this area very rarely experience wind gusts this strong.

People near Denham may experience DESTRUCTIVE winds for a period during this afternoon.
People near Kalbarri may see GALES as early as 4pm and are likely to experience DESTRUCTIVE winds from 6pm (more likely around 7pm).

People near Geraldton may see GALES as early as 6pm and 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.

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 are closed:

  • Shark Bay Road from North West Coastal Highway to Denham 
  • Monkey Mia Road from Denham to Monkey Mia 
  • North West Coastal Highway from Carnarvon to Geraldton 
  • Brand Highway from Gingin Brook Road to Geraldton
  • Midlands Road from Moora to Brand Highway 
  • Indian Ocean Drive from Lancelin Road to Brand Highway 
  • Geraldton-Mt Magnet Road from Mount Magnet to Geraldton 
  • Great Northern Highway from Muchea to Mount Magnet
  • 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:

  • If you are not under Red Alert, 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.
  • 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.

REGISTER.FIND.REUNITE:

If you are relocating due to the cyclone, or have sheltered at an evacuation centre, register your whereabouts with Register.Find.Reunite. at https://register.redcross.org.au/ to let your loved ones know you’re safe.  

If you are trying to locate loved ones in the area, enquire online with Register.Find.Reunite. at https://register.redcross.org.au/

ANIMAL WELFARE, PARK CLOSURES AND SANDBAGS:

ANIMAL WELFARE

Red Alert

  • If you have welfare concerns for your animals, inform your Local Government Authority at the first opportunity.

 Yellow Alert

  • Companion animals (pets) should be placed in safe, secure and sheltered area with access to food and water.
  • For larger animals, where possible, ensure they are under solid shelter and on a high area away from water sources and plains likely to flood.
  • Provide food and water in an area least likely to flood. Provide supplementary feed, such as hay, for livestock.
  • Consider opening internal property gates to allow large animals to move to dry ground.
  • Fences along roadsides should not be cut and external property gates should not be opened.
  • If you have welfare concerns for your animals, inform your Local Government Authority at the first opportunity. 

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 (excluding during Red Alert): 

  • Pages Beach
  • Geraldton SES Unit, 15 Spicer Close, Moonyoonooka (limit of 12 per person) - 7am to 5pm. 


WHAT EMERGENCY SERVICES ARE DOING:

  • DFES is monitoring the situation.
  • Emergency services will have limited response capacity to respond to emergencies during Red Alert.

DFES personnel have been depoyed 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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