A red alert has been issued for people between Carnarvon and Lancelin to shelter immediately, as Tropical Cyclone Seroja accelerates towards Western Australia's coast.
Key points:
- Cyclone Seroja is forecast to cross the WA coast tonight
- Gusts of up to 150km/hr are expected at the cyclone's peak
- Flash flooding is forecast in some areas due to intense rainfall
Emergency services said the alert area includes the shires of Shark Bay, Northampton, Chapman Valley, Morawa, City of Greater Geraldton, Mingenew, Three Springs, Perenjori, Irwin and the townsites Coorow and Carnamah.
The centre of Cyclone Seroja is expected to cross the coast between Kalbarri and Geraldton at around 9:00pm, with intense weather expected ahead of that.
The Department of Communities has opened evacuation centres in Port Denison, Carnarvon and Denham.
LoadingThe cyclone has intensified to a category three system and is likely to weaken to a category two prior to crossing the coast.
It is forecast to bring destructive winds gusts of up to 150 kilometres per hour from Denham to Geraldton, as well as possible flash flooding close to the cyclone's track during Sunday and Monday.
A yellow alert is in place for people in or near Minilya Roadhouse to Carnarvon inclusive.
People in those areas need to take action and prepare to shelter.
Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) incident controller Graham Sears told ABC Radio people subject to a red alert should shelter in a place with four solid walls and minimal windows.
Mr Sears said people should also listen to the radio and check for emergency updates, avoiding movement until an all-clear had been issued.
"We're asking people not to take a peek out and go for a wander until we issue the all-clear," he said.
DFES said there may be some disruption to essential services such as power, telecommunications and water, but authorities were working to limit the disruption.
The Department of Communities has asked some residents in Denham to evacuate.
Gusts of up to 150kph forecast
Bureau of Meteorology WA manager James Ashley said it was rare for a cyclone to travel as far south as Denham and Geraldton.
"People in coastal paths — particularly in that Shark Bay, Kalbarri area — should prepare for the onset of a storm surge as the system crosses the coast, which is the piling up of water in the onshore flow associated with the system," Mr Ashley said.
Supplied: BOM
)"It can push the ocean across low-lying coastal areas and produce flooding issues."
Mr Ashley said the worst conditions are expected to last for about three hours at any given location.
The northern side of the cyclone's track will bear the brunt of dangerous winds and heavy rain, he added.
"Because it's moving so fast, the onset of these conditions will be quite sudden for people," Mr Ashley said.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Odette weakened overnight, and is set to weaken further after making contact with Cyclone Seroja.
April 11, 2021 at 11:02AM
https://ift.tt/3mN4cU1
Tropical Cyclone Seroja forecast to reach land as a category two, bringing destructive winds - ABC News
https://ift.tt/3bWFHgJ
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Tropical Cyclone Seroja forecast to reach land as a category two, bringing destructive winds - ABC News"
Post a Comment