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WA weather: Red alert issued for WA’s South West as a cold front to bring damaging winds

Brianna DuganThe West Australian
A red alert weather warning is in place for the State’s south west as a damaging cold front is approaching the regions.
Camera IconA red alert weather warning is in place for the State’s south west as a damaging cold front is approaching the regions. Credit: Simon Santi/The West Australian

Residents in the south west are being told to take action now as a strong cold front threatens, with a weather warning being upgraded to a red alert.

People living in the Midwest-Gascoyne, Perth Metropolitan, Great Southern, South West and Lower South West are being urged to take action and shelter from the storm before it’s too late.

The department of fire and emergency services updated their storm warning just after 5pm this afternoon on Saturday, advising residents in Albany, Bunbury, Busselton, Dunsborough, Esperance, Katanning, Mandurah, Manjimup, Margaret River, Merredin, Moora, Mount Barker, Narrogin, Northam and Perth regions will be affected by the severe thunderstorms.

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“If outside find safe shelter away from trees, powerlines, storm water drains and streams,” a DFES statement read.

“Close your curtains and blinds, and stay inside away from windows. Unplug electrical appliances and avoid using landline telephones if there is lightening.

“If there is flooding, create your own sandbags by using pillow cases filled with sand and place them around doorways to protect your home,” the statement read.

Those boating, surfing or swimming need to leave the water now.

DFES warns motorists not to drive into unknown depths of water and currents, to slow down and keep your lights on and be alert for hazards on the roads such as fallen trees or power lines.

“If it is raining heavily and you cannot see pull over and park with your hazard lights on until the rain clears,” DFES said in a statement.

The storm is expected to bring damaging winds of up to 110km/h for the regions as the strong cold front moves through the south-west. Conditions aren’t expected to clear until Sunday afternoon.

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