WA weather: Heavy rain to bucket down on areas in Pilbara and northern Gascoyne as thunderstorm brews

Heavy rain is set to drench parts of WA’s north, with a severe thunderstorm forecast in the coming hours.

The Bureau of Meteorology alerted people in Newman, Paraburdoo, Tom Price, Three Rivers, Nullagine and Jigalong about 8:12pm to prepare for wet and windy conditions.

“A surface trough lies across the northern Gascoyne, and slow moving thunderstorms are active to its north”, the warning stated.

“Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours.

“Locations which may be affected include Newman, Paraburdoo, Tom Price, Three Rivers, Nullagine and Jigalong.

“An 87km/hr gust was observed at Karijini North at at 7:50pm.”

People in the warning zone are told to follow The Department of Fire and Emergency Services’ advice below:

• 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.

The latest weather alerts can be found here.