Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 11:57 am WST on Wednesday 3 February 2021

Flood Watch Number: 9

FLOODING POSSIBLE ACROSS WOORAMEL, MURCHISON AND GREENOUGH RIVERS

A tropical low is tracking west southwest just inland from the West Pilbara coast. The low is expected to remain overland before moving offshore near Cape Cuvier during Thursday.

The low is expected to produce heavy rainfall over the northwestern Gascoyne and southwestern Pilbara during Wednesday. Similar falls are possible for Thursday over the western Gascoyne as the low moves slowly to the southwest.

In the 24 hours to 9am Wednesday no significant rainfall have been recorded over the flood watch area.

Rainfall forecast totals for Wednesday through to Friday will range from 30 to 100 mm with isolated totals up to 200 mm per day in the Wooramel river catchment. Rainfall totals of 20 - 70 mm with isolated totals up to 140 mm are possible over Murchison and Greenough river catchments Friday in to Saturday.

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:

Wooramel River
Murchison River
Greenough River

Flooding is no longer expected in the following catchments: Sandy Desert.Flood Warnings are current for the following catchments: Fitzroy River, De Grey, Pilbara Coastal Streams, Fortescue, Onslow Coast and Lyndon-Minilya.

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