Get ready now for severe weather in Busselton, Bunbury and Margaret River

If you live in parts of the South-West district you need to get ready now for the severe weather coming tonight.

Locations which may be affected include Bunbury, Busselton and Margaret River.

This weather is not unusual for this time of year, but could damage homes and make travel dangerous.

WHAT TO DO

DFES has these tips to help you and your family get ready now:

Store or weigh down loose objects around your home like outdoor furniture that could be picked up and thrown by strong winds, causing damage or injury

Ensure your emergency kit is complete including a battery operated radio, torch, spare batteries and first aid kit

Ensure pets and animals are in a safe area

Move vehicles under cover

Boat owners should securely moor their boats

Campers should find safe shelter away from trees, powerlines, storm water drains and streams

Unplug electrical appliances and avoid using landline telephone if there is lightning.

If you are away from home contact family or friends to prepare your property

WEATHER DETAILS

At 5am on June 6 2019 the Bureau of Meteorology advised a vigorous cold front will approach the southwest of the State during Thursday, arriving at the Capes around 11pm Thursday night and extend east across the South-West Land Division during Friday.

As the cold front approaches the Capes, northerly winds are expected to strengthen with average winds reaching 50 to 60 kilometres per hour with damaging gusts, possibly to 100 kilometres per hour at times from Thursday afternoon about coastal parts between Bunbury and Cape Leeuwin. 

Winds are expected to ease early Friday morning as the front begins to move inland.

Tides between Geraldton and Albany are higher than normal at present and are expected to remain so during Thursday and Friday. 

Tides are expected to rise significantly above the normal tide mark with the potential for flooding of low-lying coastal areas in the warning area, particularly within Geographe Bay.

Damaging surf conditions are possible which could cause beach erosion between Bunbury and Cape Leeuwin.Heavy rainfall is expected with the passage of the front overnight Thursday and continuing into Friday. 

Falls between 30 and 50 milliimetres along the west coast with isolated heavier falls possible extending up the west coast to Carnarvon.

This front is the first in a series of significant fronts expected to affect the southwest of the State and brings to an end an extended dry period through much of the South-West Land Division. 

Further fronts are expected over the weekend and into early next week.

The winds ahead of the front on Thursday and Friday are expected to be windier than a typical front. 

The fronts on Saturday and Sunday are also expected to be windier than a typical front and it is likely that Severe Weather Warnings will be issued for these events.

ROAD CLOSURES AND CONDITIONS

Roads have not been closed.

Take extra care on the roads and do not drive into water of unknown depth and current.

Road information may also be available by calling Main Roads WA on 138 138 or visiting www.mainroads.wa.gov.au or by contacting your local Shire.

WHAT EMERGENCY SERVICES ARE DOING

DFES is monitoring the situation.

IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE

If your home has been badly damaged by a storm, call the SES on 132 500

In a life threatening situation call 000

After a storm SES volunteers make temporary repairs to homes that have been badly damaged, such as roofs that have been ripped off or large fallen trees on homes or cars. Please contact your insurance company to organise permanent repairs.