Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in South West and parts of Lower West, South Coastal and Great Southern districts.

Issued at 4:43 pm Friday, 10 May 2024.
SEVERE STORMS WITH LOCALLY DESTRUCTIVE WINDS NEAR BUNBURY AND SURROUNDS.

Weather Situation: A trough is triggering severe thunderstorms this afternoon, which are likely to continue into the early evening.

VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce damaging, locally destructive winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Lower West, South West and Great Southern districts. Locations which may be affected include Bunbury, Collie and Harvey.

Severe thunderstorms are likely over the next several hours in the South West and parts of the Lower West, South Coastal and Great Southern districts. Locations which may be affected include Bridgetown, Bunbury, Collie, Manjimup, Harvey and Walpole.
A TORNADO WAS REPORTED NEAR SOUTH BUNBURY BETWEEN AROUND 4:00 PM.
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 there is flooding, create your own sandbags by using pillow cases filled with sand and place them around doorways to protect your home.
* If boating, swimming or surfing leave the water.
* Do not drive into water of unknown depth and current.
* Slow down and turn your headlights on.
* Be alert and watch for hazards on the road such as fallen power lines and loose debris.
* If it is raining heavily and you cannot see, pull over and park with your hazard lights on until the rain clears.