Weather Warnings - Severe Weather Warning for WA

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Western Australia Regional Office

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

SEVERE WEATHER WARNING
for DAMAGING WINDS and HEAVY RAINFALL
For people in the
Kimberley and parts of the
North Interior districts.

Issued at 11:00 am Thursday, 22 December 2016.

WEATHER SITUATION:
A tropical low [997 hPa] is currently located over the central Kimberley between
Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing and is expected to continue tracking to the
south. An active monsoon is also maintaining rain, squally showers and
thunderstorms over the northeast Kimberley.

DAMAGING WINDS with gusts to 90 kilometres per hour and HEAVY RAINFALL which may
lead to FLASH FLOODING are possible during Thursday in the Kimberley District
and adjacent North Interior.

Numerous Flood Warnings and Flood Watches have been issued for the Kimberley and
Interior. For further details please refer to http://www.bom.gov.au/wa/warnings/

Locations which may be affected include Broome, Derby, Halls Creek, Kununurra
and Wyndham.



Highest rainfall totals in the 24 hours to 9am this morning were 218mm at
Siddins Creek, 175mm at Yulmbu, 157mm at Marion Downs and 147mm at Derby
Airport.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:
* If outside find safe shelter away from trees, power lines, storm water
drains and streams.
* Close your curtains and blinds, and stay inside away from windows.
* Unplug electrical appliances and do not use land line telephones if there is
lightning.
* If boating, swimming or surfing leave the water.
* Be alert and watch for hazards on the road such as fallen power lines and
loose debris.
* Keep away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways.
* Be careful of fallen trees, damaged buildings and debris.
* Be careful of fallen power lines. They are dangerous and should always be
treated as live.
* Assess your home, car and property for damage.
* If damage has occurred take photos and contact your insurance company to
organise permanent repairs.
* If your home or property has significant damage, like a badly damaged roof
or flooding, call the SES on 132 500.


The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 5:00 pm AWST Thursday.

Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's
website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 223. The Bureau and Department of
Fire and Emergency Services would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.