The following alert has been issued by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES)
Please note updates to Cyclone Details section. Recent changes have been made to the Red Alert and Yellow Alert warning areas as well as Storm Surge and Animal Welfare sections.
For COVID-19 related information refer to the COVID-19 section below.
Time of issue: 12:34 PM
Date of issue: 11 April 2021
Cyclone RED ALERT for south of Carnarvon to Northampton, including Denham, Kalbarri, Northampton, Port Gregory, and Horrocks in the Midwest Gascoyne
COMMUNITY ALERT LEVEL:
A RED ALERT is current for an area south of the Carnarvon townsite to Northampton, including Denham, Kalbarri, Northampton, Port Gregory, and Horrocks due to Tropical Cyclone Seroja.
There is a threat to lives and homes. You are in danger and need to act immediately.
WHAT TO DO:
DFES advises:
Stay inside and shelter in the strongest, safest part of your house or evacuation centre.
Keep your emergency kit with you.
Stay away from doors and windows, and keep them closed.
Stay indoors until the ALL CLEAR is given by authorities.
Cyclone YELLOW ALERT is current for people between Minilya Roadhouse to Carnarvon and people south of Northhampton and Horrocks down to Lancelin, including the Shires of Northampton, Chapman Valley, Morawa, City of Greater Geraldton, Mingenew, Three Springs and Perenjori in the Midwest Gascoyne
COMMUNITY ALERT LEVEL:
A YELLOW ALERT is current for people between Minilya Roadhouse to Carnarvon, including Minilya Roadhouse and Carnarvon, and people south of Northhampton and Horrocks down to Lancelin, extending inland to include the Shires of Northampton, Chapman Valley, Morawa, City of Greater Geraldton, Mingenew, Three Springs, Perenjori and the townsites of Mullewa, Coorow and Carnamah due to Tropical Cyclone Seroja.
There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a cyclone is approaching the area.
You need to take action and get ready to shelter from a cyclone.
WHAT TO DO:
DFES advises:
Put your cyclone plan into action and go to your nearest evacuation centre or safer place if safe to do so.
Move vehicles under cover.
Fasten cyclone screens, board up or heavily tape exposed windows.
Ensure pets and animals are in a safe area.
Be aware that shops may now be closing.
STORM SURGE
Tropical Cyclone Seroja is expected to result in a significant storm surge along parts of the Shark Bay coast including parts of the Denham townsite.
There is a risk that properties in the low lying areas of Denham including Knight Terrace, Barnard Street, Mainland Street, Fry Court and the southern end of Stella Rowley Drive, Paget Street, Brockman Street, Denham Road and Durlacher Street could become inundated as the cyclone approaches and crosses the coast.
To view a map of potential inundation areas
right click here
and open in a new tab. To view on a mobile device press and hold the link for 5 seconds.
If you live in the risk area, you need to start preparing now to relocate to a safer place.This could be with family or friends who live away from the area, or at a local evacuation centre.
This excludes people within the Red Alert area as it is too late to leave.
Move furniture and other items up high to prevent water damage. Store or tie-down loose items which may be moved by strong winds.
Prepare an evacuation kit including medicines, clothing, important documents and pet supplies.
Consider your evacuation route to make sure it will be accessible.
Cyclone ALL CLEAR advice for Coral Bay to Minilya Roadhouse in the Midwest Gascoyne
COMMUNITY ALERT LEVEL:
An ALL CLEAR advice is current for people in or near Coral Bay to Minilya Roadhouse due to Tropical Cyclone Seroja. The cyclone is no longer a threat in this area. The threat has passed but take care to avoid the dangers caused by damage.
WHAT TO DO:
DFES advises:
If returning to a damaged property:
It is now safe to return home.
If returning, take care on the roads, obey road closure signs and do not drive into water of unknown depth and current.
Drive slowly and be aware of emergency services personnel who are still working in the area.
Be careful of fallen powerlines and trees, broken water and sewerage pipes, loose roof sheeting and other material.
Do not walk, swim or play in floodwaters as they are dangerous.
Protect your feet with closed shoes.
Stack loose material clear of water meters, valves and powerlines.
Keep electricity and all electrical and gas appliances turned off until checked by a qualified tradesperson.
Never use matches, cigarette lighters or naked flames when entering a building as there may be a gas leak.
Take photographs for insurance purposes and contact your insurance company.
CYCLONE DETAILS:
As at 11 April 2021 12:02 PM the Bureau of Meteorology advised:
Intensity: Category 3, sustained winds near the centre of 120 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 165 kilometres per hour.
Location: within 30 kilometres of 25.2 degrees South 111.2 degrees east, estimated to be 250 kilometres west northwest of Denham and 405 kilometres northwest of Kalbarri.
Movement: south southeast at 36 kilometres per hour.
Tropical Cyclone Seroja is moving rapidly towards the southeast, approaching the west coast of WA and will begin impacting coastal communities in the next few hours. Seroja has intensified to Severe Category 3.
It is likely to weaken to Category 2 prior to crossing the coast, though a Severe Category 3 impact remains a slight risk.
Seroja is accelerating southeastwards towards the coast and is likely to be travelling at around 50 kilometres per hour as it crosses the coast. Significant impacts are expected to extend well inland from the coast through to Wheat Belt communities during Sunday night.
The cyclone will weaken as it moves inland on Monday but is still likely to result in damaging wind gusts, particularly to the north and east of the track, and heavy rain close to the track, as it moves through the eastern Wheat Belt, southern Goldfields and South East Coastal district.
Hazards:
Gales with gusts to 100 kilometres per hour are likely to develop in an area between Minilya Roadhouse and Kalbarri during Sunday afternoon. Gales will extend inland into the southern Gascoyne and northern Wheatbelt overnight.
Destructive winds with gusts to 150 kilometres per hour are forecast to occur close to the centre of Seroja as it moves across the coast and into adjacent inland parts. The most likely area to experience destructive wind gusts is on the coast from Denham to Geraldton; however destructive gusts above 125 kilometres per hour may extend inland as far as a line from Dalwallinu to Paynes Find. Towns in this area very rarely experience wind gusts this strong.
People near Denham may see gales commencing very soon, and may experience destructive winds for a period after 3pm.
People near Kalbarri may see gales as early as 4 pm and are likely to experience destructive winds from 6pm (more likely around 7pm).
People near Geraldton may see gales as early as 6pm and are likely to experience a brief period of destructive winds around 9pm. If the track shifts a little south from the current forecast, Geraldton will experience a longer period of more intense winds.
Seroja will be moving fast, so weather conditions will deteriorate rapidly as it approaches. Heavy to intense rainfall and flash flooding are likely close to the track of Seroja during Sunday and Monday.
Abnormally high tides could cause minor inundation at the coast between Coral Bay and Lancelin, increasing to serious flooding in the Denham and Shark Bay region and near Kalbarri. Dangerous surf and beach erosion is expected between Denham and Geraldton.
COVID-19:
What to do if you are self-isolating or quarantining due to COVID-19:
If you are in an area subject to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, put your cyclone plan into action now and continue to follow precautions to minimise spread of the virus.
If you have been personally directed to self-isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19:
Decide where you will shelter during the cyclone. If it is not safe to shelter in your current location, find alternative suitable premises and wear a mask.
If a Red Alert has been issued for your location, shelter in place immediately.
If you are in a storm surge risk area, find alternative suitable premises and wear a mask.
If you are unable to return to your quarantine location within one hour, telephone WA Police on 131 444 to advise them you have had to leave due to an emergency.
Regardless of your location, continue to follow COVID-19 precautions and maintain appropriate physical distancing.
ROAD CLOSURES AND CONDITIONS:
The following roads will be closed from 10am today (Sunday):
Shark Bay Road from North West Coastal Highway to Denham - Westbound
Monkey Mia Road from Denham to Monkey Mia - Westbound
North West Coastal Highway from Overlander Roadhouse to Geraldton - Southbound
Brand Highway from the Gingin intersection to Geraldton - Northbound
Midlands Road from the northern departure point, Moora to Brand Highway - Northbound
Indian Ocean Drive from Lancelin turnoff to Brand Highway - Northbound
Geraldton-Mt Magnet Road from Mount Magnet to Geraldton - Westbound
Never drive into water of unknown depth and current.
Road information may also be available from Main Roads WA by visiting
travelmap.mainroads.wa.gov.au
,
calling 138 138 or by contacting your Local Government Authority.
SAFER PLACE:
Your safest option may be to visit family or friends who live away from the area.
The Department of Communities has set up three evacuation centres. These include the Irwin Recreation Centre, 1 Ridley Street, Port Denison. Another at the Carnarvon Civic Centre, Camel Lane, Carnarvon and also Shark Bay Recreation Centre located on Francis Road, Denham.
From 9am today (Sunday), a free bus service will run between the Old Train Station, Chapman Road in Geraldton to the Evacuation Centre in Port Denison for those who are unable to relocate themselves safely. The bus will depart every hour, on the hour. Please bring essential items and bedding, pillows and blankets. Pets cannot be taken so please make alternative arrangements for them.
People who are self-isolating or quarantining due to COVID-19 should find alternative suitable premises and wear a mask.
If this is not possible, proceed to the evacuation centre and identify yourself to centre staff immediately on arrival.
Continue to follow COVID-19 precautions and maintain appropriate physical distancing.
Please take any essential items such as medications and identification to the evacuation centre.
Pets (except recognised assistance animals) are not allowed inside evacuation centres for health and safety reasons, so you should make alternative arrangements for them.
ANIMAL WELFARE, PARK CLOSURES AND SANDBAGS:
ANIMAL WELFARE
Red Alert
If you have welfare concerns for your animals, inform your Local Government Authority at the first opportunity.
Yellow Alert
Companion animals (pets) should be placed in safe, secure and sheltered area with access to food and water.
For larger animals, where possible, ensure they are under solid shelter and on a high area away from water sources and plains likely to flood.
Provide food and water in an area least likely to flood. Provide supplementary feed, such as hay, for livestock.
Consider opening internal property gates to allow large animals to move to dry ground.
Fences along roadsides should not be cut and external property gates should not be opened.
If you have welfare concerns for your animals, inform your Local Government Authority at the first opportunity.
PARK CLOSURES:
There are multiple park closures in the warning area. Visit www.emergency.wa.gov.au for more information.
SANDBAGS:
Those requiring sandbags in the Geraldton area can collect them from the following two locations (excluding during Red Alert):
Pages Beach
Geraldton SES Unit, 15 Spicer Close, Moonyoonooka (limit of 12 per person) - 7am to 5pm.
WHAT EMERGENCY SERVICES ARE DOING:
DFES is monitoring the situation.
DFES personnel have been deployed to Geraldton in preparation for Tropical Cyclone Seroja.
The Incident Management Team are planning for all contingencies pre and post impact of Tropical Cyclone Seroja, to ensure the safety of the community.
State Emergency Service (SES) Volunteers from Geraldton/Greenough, Kalbarri, Shark Bay and Carnarvon are assisting with operations and ready to respond if requested.
Marine Rescue Geraldton are assisting with radio warnings.
Local Volunteer Fire and Rescue and Bush Fire Brigades across the Midwest Gascoyne and Pilbara are ready to respond and assist.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS:
For SES assistance call 132 500
In a life threatening situation call 000
For the latest weather information call 1300 659 210 or visit www.bom.gov.au
For information about road conditions and closures contact local Police or Main Roads WA on 138 138.
KEEP UP TO DATE:
Visit www.emergency.wa.gov.au, call 13 DFES (13 3337), follow DFES on Twitter: twitter.com/dfes_wa, Facebook: facebook.com/dfeswa/, listen to ABC Local Radio, or news bulletins.
During a power outage, your home phone, computer or other electronic devices connected to the NBN will not work. Include a battery powered radio in your emergency kit.
Updates will be provided when the situation changes.
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 13
Issued at 12:02 pm WST on Sunday 11 April 2021
Headline:
Tropical Cyclone Seroja to bring dangerous weather to the west coast from Sunday afternoon extending through the midwest in the evening.
Areas Affected:
Warning Zone
Minilya Roadhouse to Lancelin along the coast, extending to inland areas including Mount Magnet, Paynes Find, Dalwallinu, Mukinbudin, Merredin and Southern Cross.
Watch Zone
None.
Cancelled Zone
None
Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Seroja at 11:00 am AWST:
Intensity: Category 3, sustained winds near the centre of 120 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 165 kilometres per hour.
Location: within 30 kilometres of 25.2 degrees South 111.2 degrees East, estimated to be 250 kilometres west northwest of Denham and 405 kilometres northwest of Kalbarri.
Movement: south southeast at 36 kilometres per hour.
Tropical Cyclone Seroja is moving rapidly towards the southeast, approaching the west coast of WA and will begin impacting coastal communties in the next few hours.
Seroja has intensified to Severe Category 3, It is likely to weaken to Category 2 prior to crossing the coast, though a Severe Category 3 impact remains a slight risk.
Seroja is accelerating southeastwards towards the coast and is likely to be travelling at around 50 kilometres per hour as it crosses the coast. . Significant impacts are expected to extend well inland from the coast through to Wheat Belt communities during Sunday night.
The cyclone will weaken as it moves inland on Monday but is still likely to result in damaging wind gusts, particularly to the north and east of the track, and heavy rain close to the track, as it moves through the eastern Wheat Belt, southern Goldfields and South East Coastal district.
Hazards:
GALES with gusts to 100 kilometres per hour are likely to develop in an area between Minilya Roadhouse and Kalbarri during Sunday afternoon. Gales will extend inland into the southern Gascoyne and northern Wheatbelt overnight.
DESTRUCTIVE WINDS with gusts to 150 kilometres per hour are forecast to occur close to the centre of Seroja as it moves across the coast and into adjacent inland parts. The most likely area to experience destructive wind gusts is on the coast from Denham to Geraldton; however destructive gusts above 125 kilometres per hour may extend inland as far as a line from Dalwallinu to Paynes Find. Towns in this area very rarely experience wind gusts this strong.
People near Denham may see GALES commencing very soon, and may experience DESTRUCTIVE winds for a period after 3 pm.
People near Kalbarri may see GALES as early as 4 pm and are likely to experience DESTRUCTIVE winds from 6 pm (more likely around 7 pm).
People near Geraldton may see GALES as early as 6 pm and are likely to experience a brief period of DESTRUCTIVE winds around 9 pm. If the track shifts a little south from the current forecast, Geraldton will experience a longer period of more intense winds.
Seroja will be moving fast, so weather conditions will deteriorate rapidly as it approaches.
HEAVY TO INTENSE RAINFALL and FLASH FLOODING are likely close to the track of Seroja during Sunday and Monday.
ABNORMALLY HIGH TIDES could cause minor inundation at the coast between Coral Bay and Lancelin, increasing to SERIOUS FLOODING in the Denham and Shark Bay region and near Kalbarri. Dangerous surf and beach erosion is expected between Denham and Geraldton.
Recommended Action:
DFES advises of the following community alerts effective as of 12:00 Noon Sunday 11th April 2021.
RED ALERT: People in or near Carnarvon to Northampton, not including Carnarvon townsite, but including the townsites of Denham, Kalbarri, Northampton, Port Gregory, and Horrocks need to go to shelter immediately.
YELLOW ALERT: People in or near Minilya Roadhouse to Carnarvon, including Minilya Roadhouse and Carnarvon, and from south of Northampton to Lancelin, including Lancelin townsite, and extending inland to include the Shires of Chapman Valley, Morawa, Greater Geraldton, Mingenew, Three Springs, Perenjori, and the townsites of Mullewa, Coorow and Carnamah need to take action and get ready to shelter from a cyclone.
ALL CLEAR: People in communities Coral Bay to Minilya Roadhouse are advised that wind and storm surge dangers have passed.
People needing SES assistance can call 132 500. In a life-threatening situation call 000. For more safety tips visit www.emergency.wa.gov.au
Communities within the Red and Yellow Alert areas above should listen for the next advice.
Next Advice:
The next advice will be issued by 3:00 pm AWST Sunday 11 April.
Cyclone advices and DFES Alerts are available by dialling 13 DFES (13 3337)
A map showing the track of the cyclone is available at: http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone