Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Central West and parts of Pilbara, Gascoyne, Lower West and Central Wheat Belt districts.

Issued at 5:28 pm Tuesday, 29 March 2022.

INTENSE RAINFALL FROM DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREAS AROUND MORAWA, MOORA, COOROW, AND BADGINGARRA

Weather Situation:
A humid and unstable airmass to the east of a surface trough near the west coast is producing severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening, supported by a strong upper trough.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce INTENSE RAINFALL that may lead to dangerous flash flooding and damaging winds over the next several hours in parts of the Central West district. Locations which may be affected include Morawa, Moora, Coorow, and Badgingarra.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and damaging winds over the next several hours in the Central West and parts of the Pilbara, Gascoyne, Lower West and Central Wheat Belt districts. Locations which may be affected include Meekatharra, Moora, Mount Magnet, Newman, Wongan Hills and Yalgoo. Large hail is also possible with thunderstorms in the northeast Gascoyne and eastern Pilbara. Locations which may be affected include Newman, Jigalong, Mount Augustus and Nullagine.

Warradarge has recorded 47.4mm in the 2 hours to 5:20pm.

Gutha West recorded 37.6mm in the 2 hours to 5:15pm.

Eneabba has recorded 61mm of rainfall in the 2 hours to 3:30pm.

Mount Magnet recorded 35mm of rainfall in the 2 hours to 3:15pm.

Yuna (northeast of Geraldton) recorded 18mm of rainfall in 20 minutes to 1:38pm.

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.