Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Gascoyne, Goldfields, Great Southern, Central Wheat Belt, Central West and South East Coastal districts.

Issued at 5:00 pm Friday, 13 December 2024.

VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS WITH LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL HAVE DEVELOPED OVER THE LOWER WEST.

Weather Situation: A very humid airmass and a trough have triggered thunderstorms in the south today.

VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding and damaging winds in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Merredin, Hyden, Koolyanobbing, Mukinbudin, Paynes Find and Southern Cross.

31.4 MM FELL IN 30 MINUTES TO 4:10PM AT BURRACOPPIN.

27.6 mm fell in the 1 hour to 4:30pm at Yilgarn.

98 km/h was recorded at Southern Cross airfield at 2:33pm.

21.4 mm fell in 30 minutes to 2:10pm at Bonnie Rock.

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 there is flooding, create your own sandbags by using pillow cases filled with sand and place them around doorways to protect your home.
* If boating, swimming or surfing leave the water.
* Do not drive into water of unknown depth and current.
* Slow down and turn your headlights on.
* Be alert and watch for hazards on the road such as fallen power lines and loose debris.
* If it is raining heavily and you cannot see, pull over and park with your hazard lights on until the rain clears.