Thursday, March 15th, 2012
Broome to Mardie: Cyclone BLUE alert
Coastal communities from Broome south to Mardie are on cyclone BLUE alert.
You can read a FESA notice here:
Time of issue: 8.50pm
Date of issue: 15 March 2012
BLUE Alert for coastal communities between Broome and Mardie in the Kimberley and Pilbara
COMMUNITY ALERT LEVEL:
A BLUE ALERT is current for people in or near the coastal communities between Broome and Mardie in the Kimberley and Pilbara.
This includes people in or near coastal communities of Port Hedland and South Hedland, Roebourne, Point Sampson, Karratha, Dampier and all coastal communities and pastoral stations in between.
Although there is no immediate danger you need to start preparing for dangerous weather and keep up to date.
WHAT TO DO:
FESA’s State Emergency Service (SES)/Volunteer Emergency Service (VES) advises you to:
• Get ready for dangerous weather by preparing your home inside and out.
• Secure or remove loose material from around your home.
• Ensure your emergency kit is complete and check your family knows what to do.
CYCLONE WATCH is current for people in or near the coastal communities from Cape Leveque to Bidyadanga including Broome and the eastern inland Pilbara including Newman and Telfer.
Keep up to date with the development of the cyclone through radio, television or the internet.
CYCLONE DETAILS:
As at 8pm the Bureau of Meteorology advises Tropical Cyclone Lua, Category 2 was estimated to be
700 kilometres north northwest of Karratha and 770 kilometres northwest of Port Hedland moving east northeast at 6 kilometres per hour.
TC Lua has moved slowly over the last few hours but will accelerate towards the east Pilbara coast during Friday. TC Lua is expected to intensify into a severe tropical cyclone overnight and remain severe through to landfall.
Gales are not expected in coastal areas overnight, but gales are expected to develop between Mardie and Bidyadanga by early Saturday.
Very destructive winds with wind gusts in excess of 170 kilometres per hour are likely to develop in coastal areas near the centre of the cyclone during Saturday.
Gales are expected to extend to coastal areas between Cape Leveque and Bidayadanga during Saturday and then to inland eastern Pilbara areas later on Saturday.
Heavy rainfall is expected near the west Kimberley coast and in coastal and inland parts of the east Pilbara. During Saturday and Sunday areas of heavy rain are likely in the east Gascoyne and northern Goldfields.
Heavy surf conditions are expected along the east Pilbara and west Kimberley coast during Friday and Saturday.
WHAT SES/VES VOLUNTEERS ARE DOING:
Port Hedland SES Unit has thirty five personnel checking chainsaw kits, trailers and vehicles ready to deploy to affected areas. They have been assisting with calls to outlying areas checking on status and urgent items of assistance.
Broome, Derby and Kununurra SES Units are on standby and are being supported by additional personnel from Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service and Bush Fire Service brigades.
Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek and Wyndham Volunteer Emergency Services Units are monitoring the situation.
Six Armadale SES personnel have arrived in Broome to bolster the storm damage and chainsaw crew numbers.
All crews will assist at local level and respond, if required, to affected areas south and inland by road or air.
FESA is working closely with WA Police, Horizon Power, Main Roads, Local Government, Department of Health, Water Corporation, Department of Education and Department of Child Protection to minimise the impact on the community.
ROAD CLOSURES:
Localised flooding may cause some roads to be closed.
For further details call Main Roads WA on 138 138.
Travellers should stay in regional towns such as Broome, Port Hedland, Newman and Karratha until the cyclone passes.
Motorists should not drive into water of unknown depth and current.
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:
Call 1300 657 209, visit www.fesa.wa.gov.au or listen to news bulletins.
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