After a week of bushfires and 'once-in-10-year' flooding, WA looks set for more severe weather

The Bureau of Meteorology says an intense low-pressure system will bring severe weather to parts of Western Australia in coming days.

The Gascoyne region suffered the worst of the flooding.

The Gascoyne region suffered severe flooding on Saturday. Source: Twitter/@Rita_Saffioti

Heavy rain and damaging winds are set to hit southwest Western Australia as an intense low-pressure system moves across the state.

Wind gusts of more than 100 km/h and isolated rainfall totals of up to 100mm are possible across Sunday and into Monday.

The Bureau of Meteorology says parts of the midwest Gascoyne, Perth, the southwest, lower southwest and the Great Southern region will feel the brunt of the severe weather.
Locations that may be affected include Bunbury, Manjimup, Margaret River, Walpole, Yanchep and the Perth Metropolitan area.

It comes after a "once-in-10-year" flooding event over the Gascoyne region developed on Saturday, with aerial shots showing parts of the region completely covered by water and just the tops of trees and buildings visible.

Premier Mark McGowan said he'd been advised such a significant flooding had not been seen in the region since 2010.

On Sunday, the bureau said the low-pressure system was located 80km southwest of Geraldton.
It is expected to pass west of Perth on Sunday evening before crossing the southwest corner of the state during Monday morning.

Tides are also likely to be higher than predicted along the west coast north of Augusta with the potential for flooding of low-lying coastal areas.

Flood watches and warnings are current for river catchments across the Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne and Central West Districts.
The heaviest rainfall recorded to 1am on Sunday included 76mm at Hill River Springs, 74mm at Moora and 64mm at Lancelin East.

The highest wind gusts were 100km/h at Gooseberry Hill and 94km/h at Bickley.

Since 9am on Friday, emergency services have responded to more than 83 calls for assistance.

Mr McGowan said the severe weather came after a challenging week with parts of the state also enduring a five-day lockdown because of a coronavirus outbreak, .

Rainfall on Saturday over the Perth Hills bushfires has reduced the threat to homes and lives.

Emergency WA has downgraded the fire to an advice message with no immediate danger to local properties.

The blaze has already destroyed at last 86 homes and burnt through about 11,000 hectares.


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2 min read
Published 7 February 2021 10:48am
Updated 7 February 2021 11:59am
Source: AAP, SBS



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