Wa put on storm alert for 100km/h-plus winds

Simon WhiteThe West Australian A big chunk of the state - including Perth - has been put on a severe weather warning for Wednesday, with wind gusts up to 125km/h set to accompany heavy rain,

damaging surf and possible thunderstorms. The weather system, which the Bureau of Meteorology says comes only five times a year, is set to hit the Central West, Lower West, South West,

South Coastal and Great Southern regions, plus parts of the Central Wheatbelt. The bureau says it’s unusual for a warning to have to stretch as far north and inland as this one. Apart from

Perth, locations in the firing line include Albany, Bunbury, Busselton, Collie, Geraldton, Kalbarri, Katanning, Mandurah, Manjimup, Margaret River, Merredin, Moora, Mount Barker, Narrogin

and Northam. Damaging winds up to 100km/h are expected to start south-west of a line from Busselton to Windy Harbour around 1am and then extend south-west of a line from Perth to Walpole

around 5am. In isolated area, the gusts could top 125km/h and cause significant damage or destruction to homes or properties. Damaging surf conditions will cause beach erosion and there is a

chance of hail and a flood warning in place for the Lower West and South West districts. In Perth, there could be up to 30mm of rain - with the possibility of another 27mm to fall by

Saturday. _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 boating, swimming or surfing leave

the water. * Be alert and watch for hazards on the road such as fallen power lines and loose debris. * Keep away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways. * Be careful of fallen

trees, damaged buildings and debris. * Be careful of fallen power lines. They are dangerous and should always be treated as live. * Assess your home, car and property for damage. * If damage

has occurred take photos and contact your insurance company to organise permanent repairs. * If your home or property has significant damage, like a badly damaged roof or flooding, call the

SES on 132 500. _PERTH WEATHER OUTLOOK:_ WEDNESDAY: showers, storm, heavy falls possible, 15 to 30mm, 17 degrees THURSDAY: Possible early storm, showers, 3-8mm, 17 degrees FRIDAY: Showers

increasing, 8-15mm, 18 degrees SATURDAY: Shower or two, 1-4mm, 16 degrees SUNDAY: Cloudy, 0-0.2mm, 16 degrees MONDAY: Possibly shower, 0-1mm, 17 degrees. GET THE LATEST NEWS FROM

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