COMMUNITY ALERT LEVEL:
A BLUE ALERT is current for people in or near the coastal and island communities from Whim Creek to Mardie including Wickham, Roebourne, Point Sampson, Karratha and Dampier.
Although there is no immediate danger you need to start preparing for dangerous weather and keep up to date.
WHAT TO DO:
DFES's State Emergency Service (SES) advises you to:
• Get ready for dangerous weather by preparing your home inside and out.
• Secure or remove loose material from around your home.
• Ensure your emergency kit is complete and check your family knows what to do.
CYCLONE WATCH is current for people in or near the coastal communities of Mardie to Coral Bay
Keep up to date with the development of the cyclone through radio, television or the internet.
CYCLONE DETAILS:
As at 9.03am the Bureau of Meteorology advises category three Severe TC Narelle was estimated to be 760 kilometres north of Karratha and 900 kilometres north north-east of Exmouth and moving south south-west at 8 kilometres per hour.
Severe TC Narelle has continued moving south south-west overnight and is expected to slowly develop as it continues towards the Northwest Cape.
The system has been relocated slightly east based on latest satellite imagery.
Gales with gusts to 100 kilometres per hour are expected to develop in coastal areas between Whim Creek and Onslow including the Karratha area later Friday, then extend west to Exmouth and Ningaloo overnight Friday and Saturday morning.
Winds are likely to increase further during Saturday about the west Pilbara coast.
Thunderstorm activity will increase about the Pilbara coast on Friday with isolated heavy rainfall possible.
ROAD CLOSURES:
Main Roads advises that gusty winds and thunderstorm activity may affect driving conditions, and road conditions are subject to change with further rainfall.
Currently water over the road has been reported at various floodways along the North West Coastal Highway near Minilya Roadhouse.
Road users are advised to approach all floodways with extreme caution and obey road closure signs and do not drive into water of unknown depth and current.
If driving through heavy rain, please slow down and turn your lights on or if visibility becomes poor, pull over and park until it passes.
For more information on road closures and conditions check
www.mainroads.wa.gov.au or contact the Main Roads Customer Information Centre on 138 138.
WHAT SES VOLUNTEERS ARE DOING:
Incident management teams have been established to help people that may be impacted by the cyclone.
DFES is working closely with WA Police, Western Power, Horizon Power, Main Roads, Local Government, Department of Health, Water Corporation, Department of Education and Department of Child Protection to minimise the impact on the community.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS:
• For SES assistance call 132 500
• In a life threatening situation call 000
• For the latest weather information call 1300 659 210 or visit
www.bom.gov.au • For information about road conditions and closures contact local Police or Main Roads WA on 138 138.
KEEP UP TO DATE:
Call 1300 657 209, visit
www.dfes.wa.gov.au or listen to news bulletins.
The next update will be issued when the situation changes.