Red Alert for Pardoo and Whim Creek including Port Hedland and South Hedland in the Pilbara
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 today and 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.
• If you lose power keep the fridge closed to prevent food spoilage.
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 and Pardoo, extending inland to Marble Bar and Nullagine.
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 between Whim Creek and Mardie, including Karratha and extending to inland areas including 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.
An ALL CLEAR advice is current for people in or near the coastal communities from Mardie to Dampier.
The threat has passed but take care to avoid any potential dangers caused by damage.
WHAT TO DO:
DFES's State Emergency Service (SES) advises:
• If returning to the areas, take the roads recommended by authorities and do not hurry,obey road closure signs and do not drive into water of unknown depth and current.
• Drive slowly and be aware of emergency services personnel who are still working in the area.
• Be careful of fallen powerlines and trees, broken water and sewage pipes, loose roof sheeting and other material.
• Do not walk, swim or play in floodwaters as they are dangerous.
CYCLONE WARNING is current for people in or near coastal areas from Bidyadanga to Dampier and adjacent inland areas of the Pilbara including Tom Price, Telfer and Newman.
You should review your family cyclone plan and the community alerts system, and make sure everyone knows what to do.
Organise an emergency kit with a portable battery operated radio, torch, spare batteries and first aid kit.
CYCLONE WATCH is current for people in or near remaining central and eastern areas of the Pilbara, including Paraburdoo, Three Rivers and adjacent parts of the Gascoyne district and the Interior.
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:
As at 11.54am on 27 February 2013, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) advises Category 4 Severe Tropical Cyclone (TC) Rusty was estimated to be 125 kilometres northeast of Port Hedland and 190 kilometres north of Marble Bar and is moving southeast at 5 kilometres per hour towards the coast.
TC Rusty has started to take a southeasterly track over the last few hours. During the afternoon it is expected to take a more southerly track as it moves towards the Pilbara coast.
Gales are occuring on the coast between Sandfire Roadhouse and Whim Creek and will extend inland towards Marble Bar during today, and may reach Nullagine overnight.
Destructive winds with gusts in excess of 125 kilometres per hour are occuring along the coast in the vicinity of De Grey and Pardoo, and could reach Marble Bar overnight.
Very destructive winds with gusts in excess of 165 kilometres per hour are likely in the vicinity of De Grey and Pardoo during the afternoon and evening as Severe TC Rusty approaches the coast.
Widespread very heavy rainfall today and on Thursday is likely to lead to major flooding in the De Grey catchment. Significant flooding is also possible in the Fortescue catchment and in Pilbara coastal streams.
People on the coast between Wallal and De Grey are warned of the potential for a very dangerous storm tide as the system approaches 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
• 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 Mot 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
Main Roads WA maintenance crews are on standby in the north of the State to respond to impacts on the Pilbara and Kimberley road network once TC Rusty abates.
In the meantime, Main Roads has been able to temporarily re-open a section of the Newman-Marble Bar Road to allow emergency supplies to be trucked to the Roy Hill and Cloud Break mine sites where mine workers are.The section will be closed again this afternoon.
Due to the track of Tropical Cyclone Rusty and associated flooding, Main Roads requests all road users including the road transport industry to avoid travelling to the North West Region. Road closures are likely to be in place over the coming days.
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 TC 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:
As of 10am this morning, 250 customers in South Hedland were without power. Those customers lost power supplies at approximately 11am yesterday.
About 2,000 customers were without power for a short time between 7am and 7.30 am this morning but control centre operators were able to restore power remotely.
Line crews are 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.