Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 12:00 pm WST on Monday 1 February 2021

Flood Watch Number: 7

FLOODING POSSIBLE ACROSS THE PILBARA AND SANDY DESERT

The tropical low is lying overland on the Pilbara and moving easterly roughly parallel to the Pilbara coast. The system is forecast to move off the north west coast on Tuesday. The low is expected to produce heavy rainfall over the Pilbara and the coastal parts of the Sandy Desert for the remainder of Monday and into Tuesday.

In the 24 hours to 9am Monday, rainfall totals up to 60 mm have been recorded across the flood watch area.

Rainfall forecast totals for Monday into Tuesday will range from 30 to 50 mm with isolated totals up to 100 mm in the Pilbara Coastal Rivers and the western parts of the De Grey River. Widespread rainfall totals of 10 to 30 mm with isolated totals up to 50 mm is forecast in the Coastal parts of Sandy Desert.

For the Onslow Coast and the lower Fortescue and Ashburton rainfall forecast rainfall totals of 50 to 75 mm with isolated totals up to 200 mm.

Heavy rainfall is expected to cause significant flooding in the flood watch area. Secondary roads are likely to be disrupted and some communities and localities are likely to become isolated by road.

Dangerous flood waters may develop rapidly.

Catchments likely to be affected include:
De Grey River

Pilbara Coastal Rivers

Fortescue River

Onslow Coast

Ashburton River

Sandy Desert

Flood Warnings are current for the following catchments: Fitzroy River, West Kimberley Rivers and the De Grey

This flood watch is available by dialling 1300 659 213. For more information on the Flood Watch Service visit http://www.bom.gov.au/water/floods/floodWarningServices.shtml
Flood Safety Advice:

DFES advises people and communities to be aware that flooding is possible and be prepared to relocate equipment and livestock. Watch water levels. Travellers need to be aware that road conditions may be adversely affected and travel plans may need to be reconsidered. Do not drive into water of unknown depth and velocity.

Community information is available from DFES at www.dfes.wa.gov.au

Current river levels are available from Department of Water and Environmental Regulation at www.water.wa.gov.au/maps-and-data/monitoring/river-level-monitoring

Rainfall and River Conditions Map