Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 9:11 am Saturday, 24 August 2024.

Damaging winds continue about southwestern parts of the state this morning.

Weather situation: A strong cold front is nearing the Esperance area this morning. A broad stream of gusty showers and thunderstorms persists in its wake across southwestern parts of the state.

DAMAGING WIND GUSTS with peak gusts of 90 to 100 km/h on and near the front are possible about the far eastern Great Southern and South East Coastal districts this morning and early afternoon.

DAMAGING WIND GUSTS of 90 to 100 km/h are also broadly possible post-frontal gusty showers and isolated thunderstorms across southwestern parts of the state. These conditions are expected to ease about the Perth area by around midday, and should contract to southwest of a line from Bunbury to Bremer Bay by mid afternoon. Exposed coastal areas between Augusta and Walpole may also experience periods of sustained DAMAGING WINDS averaging 60 to 70 km/h during this period.

Conditions are expected to ease completely by Saturday night.

People in the southwest of WA experience a front as windy as this about 3 to 4 times per year.

Locations which may be affected include Albany, Bunbury, Busselton, Esperance, Katanning, Mandurah, Manjimup, Margaret River, Mount Barker, Narrogin, Northam and Perth.

Severe weather is no longer occurring in the Central West district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED.

107 km/h wind gust was recorded at Cape Leeuwin at 6:26 am

106 km/h wind gust was recorded at at Busselton Jetty at 6:10 am

100 km/h wind gust was recorded at Rottnest Island at 3:50 am

98 km/h wind gust was recorded at Ocean Reef at 8:07 am

98 km/h wind gust was recorded at Ocean Reef at 8:24 am

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 boating, swimming or surfing leave the water.
* Be alert and watch for hazards on the road such as fallen power lines and loose debris.
* Keep away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways.
* Be careful of fallen trees, damaged buildings and debris.
* Be careful of fallen power lines. They are dangerous and should always be treated as live.
* Assess your home, car and property for damage.
* If damage has occurred take photos and contact your insurance company to organise permanent repairs.
* If your home or property has significant damage, like a badly damaged roof or flooding, call the SES on 132 500.