COMMUNITY ALERT LEVEL:
A RED ALERT is current for people in or near the coastal communities of Pardoo to Whim Creek.
This includes people in Port Hedland and South Hedland.
There is a threat to lives and homes. You are in danger and need to act immediately.
It is likely that communities in the north west will be on a Red Alert for some time, potentially up to 36 hours, so people will need to be patient.
This is because the system is large and slow. It has brought strong winds to the area despite being off the coast and will slowly move over the area, meaning that the highly dangerous winds and rain are expected to continue into tomorrow.
By now, everyone should have their emergency kit together, and should be sheltering either in a welfare centre or in the strongest, safest part of a building.
WHAT TO DO:
DFES's State Emergency Service (SES) advises:
• You need to get ready to move to the strongest, safest part of your house or go to your closest welfare centre if advised to do so.
• Keep your emergency kit with you.
• Stay away from doors and windows, and keep them closed.
• Stay indoors until the ALL CLEAR is given by authorities.
RELOCATION CENTRES:
The Department for Child Protection advises that two relocation centres have been opened.
These are:
• Andrew McLaughlin Community Centre in Keesing Street in Port Hedland
• Wanangkura Recreation Centre in Hamilton Road South Hedland
Be aware that only essential items can be taken into welfare centres – alcohol and pets, except guide and assistance dogs, are prohibited.
A YELLOW ALERT is current for people in or near the coastal communities of Wallal to Pardoo, extending inland to Marble Bar.
There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a cyclone is approaching the area. You need to take action and get ready to shelter from a cyclone.
WHAT TO DO:
DFES's State Emergency Service (SES) advises you to:
• Fasten all cyclone screens, secure boats, caravans, trailers, garden sheds, outdoor furniture, rainwater tanks and LPG bottles.
• Move vehicles under cover.
• Ensure pets and animals are in a safe area.
• Pack a relocation kit to be taken with your emergency kit.
• Be aware that shops may now be closing.
A BLUE ALERT is current for people in or near coastal communities of Bidyadanga to Wallal and Whim Creek to Mardie, including Karratha and extending to inland communities including Nullagine and Millstream.
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 need 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 adjacent inland communities of the Pilbara including Tom Price, Newman and Telfer.
You should prepare your home inside and out. Keep up to date with the development of the cyclone through radio, television or the internet.
CYCLONE DETAILS:
For the latest weather information call 1300 659 210 or visit www.bom.gov.au
At 8:00pm on Tuesday 26 February 2013 the Bureau of Meteorology advises category 3 Severe Tropical Cyclone Rusty was estimated to be 125 kilometres north northeast of Port Hedland and 285 kilometres northeast of Karratha and near stationary.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Rusty has been near stationary over the last few hours but is expected to resume a southerly track towards the Pilbara coast early Wednesday. The slow motion and large size of Rusty means that the destructive and very destructive winds will occur on the coast well before the centre crosses the coast, and will extend some distance from the centre.
Wind gusts to 120 kilometres per hour have already been experienced in Port Hedland and conditions there are likely to get slowly worse during Wednesday.
Gales are occuring on the coast between Sandfire Roadhouse and Whim Creek, with destructive winds extending from near Port Hedland to around Wallal. Gales may extend west to Karratha and begin to extend inland towards Marble Bar and Millstream on Wednesday.
Very destructive winds with gusts in excess of 165 kilometres per hour are likely to develop in coastal parts between Whim Creek and Pardoo during Wednesday as Severe Tropical Cyclone Rusty approaches the coast.
This is a large tropical cyclone and its slow movement is likely to result in an extended period of destructive winds near the track, with rainfall that is heavier than that associated with a typical system. Widespread very heavy rainfall overnight and on Wednesday is likely to lead to major flooding in the De Grey catchment. Significant flooding is also likely in the Fortescue catchment and in Pilbara coastal streams.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Rusty's intensity, size and slow movement is also likely to lead to a very dangerous storm tide as the cyclone centre nears the coast. Tides are likely to rise significantly above the normal high tide mark with damaging waves and very dangerous coastal inundation.
WHAT SES VOLUNTEERS ARE DOING:
SES volunteers are monitoring developments and undertaking any necessary preparations. Additional support staff have been deployed to the region in preparation for the cyclone.
DFES personnel are working closely with remote indigenous communities in the Pilbara on their preparations.
Incident management teams have been established to help people that may be impacted by the cyclone.
DFES is working closely with Horizon Power, Main Roads, Local Government, Department of Education, Department for Child Protection, the Australian Defence Force and other agenices to minimise the impact on the community.
ROAD CLOSURES:
The following roads are currently closed:
• Great Northern Highway from Auski Roadhouse to Broome
• Great Northern Highway from Broome to Derby
• North West Coastal Highway from Roebourne to Port Hedland
• Marble Bar Road from Marble Bar northwards to Great Northern Highway
• Ripon Hills Road
• Gibb River Road from Mt Barnett to Pentecost River
The below road is currently open with the following conditions:
• Marble Bar Road from Marble Bar to Nullagine is open to 4WD vehicles only
Motorists should avoid the area and should not drive into water of unknown depth and current.
SCHOOL CLOSURES:
The following schools are closed until further notice:
• Hedland Senior High School
• Port Hedland Primary School
• Port Hedland School of the Air
• Cassia Primary School
• Cassia Education Support Centre
• Baler Primary School
• South Hedland Primary School
• Pilbara Behaviour Centre
• Strelley Community School – Strelley Campus
• Strelley Community School – Warralong Campus
• St Cecilia's Primary School
Three other schools have also been closed until further notice due to the risk of flooding. These schools are:
• Yandeyarra Remote Community School
• Marble Bar Primary School
• Nullagine Primary School
The Department of Education advises that the following school bus services are cancelled for the rest of the week, due to weather conditions associated with Severe Tropical Cyclone Rusty:
• School bus service between Paraburdoo and Tom Price Senior High School
• School bus service from Wakathuni Aboriginal Community to Tom Price Primary School.
POWER:
Horizon Power has managed to restore power supplies to most of our customers who lost power today as a result of Severe Tropical Cyclone Rusty. At present, there are a total of 278 customers in South Hedland without power.
Line crews are now on stand-by until after the cyclone has passed to ensure their safety and that of the community.
Horizon Power advises residents to observe the following:
• Do not at any stage go near a fallen powerline. Always assume a fallen powerline is live and stay well clear.
• Do not use any electrical appliances that have been damaged or submerged in water.
• Warn children not to play or swim in floodwaters as there may be unseen live and dangerous electrical wiring or fallen powerlines which may be hidden by debris in the water.
• Report any faults or emergencies to Horizon Power on 13 23 51.
Horizon Power will provide the community with regular updates about the status of power supplies and any restoration work.
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.