Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Gascoyne, Central West and Pilbara districts.

Issued at 10:50 am Saturday, 24 February 2024.

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Lincoln expected to cross the northwest Gascoyne coast with damaging wind gusts and heavy rainfall.

Weather Situation: Ex-Tropical Cyclone Lincoln is no longer forecast to strengthen to a Tropical Cyclone and is expected to cross the northwest Gascoyne coast as a tropical low this evening or early Sunday morning. It is then expected to weaken as it moves inland into the southern Gascoyne during Sunday.

DAMAGING WINDS GUSTS with peak gusts of around 100 km/h are possible, developing about the far western Pilbara coast this afternoon before shifting to the coastal areas of the Gascoyne and northern Central West districts during this evening and Sunday morning.
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is expected around and to the east of the tropical low. Peak six-hourly rainfall totals between 40 to 70mm are possible leading to 24-hourly rainfall totals between 60 to 80mm in the far western Pilbara, Gascoyne and northern Central West districts. Isolated 24-hour falls up to 120mm are possible near the low pressure centre.

Damaging wind gusts are expected to ease late Sunday morning while heavy rainfall is expected to continue and begin to ease during Sunday afternoon or early evening.
A Flood Watch is current for parts of Pilbara, Gascoyne Coast and Central West District Rivers. For details, please see http://www.bom.gov.au/wa/warnings/

Locations which may be affected include Carnarvon, Denham, Exmouth, Kalbarri, Mount Magnet and Yalgoo.

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.