Western Australia Prepares for Strong Winter Storm Over Long Weekend

Perth and large parts of Western Australia's south are preparing for an unusually strong winter storm over the WA Day long weekend. Destructive wind gusts of around 125 kilometres an hour and heavy rainfall are expected across the South West land division beginning Saturday evening.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster James Ashley described the system as an unusually strong and intense winter system. Starting from Saturday evening, winds and rainfall will increase around the central west coast, moving southwards and extending eastwards over Sunday and Monday, he told journalists.

The system will whip up the ocean with waves reaching up to eight metres offshore. That is likely to cause some beach erosion, particularly around the time of high tides on Sunday and Monday mornings. Rainfall of up to 50 millimetres is expected in coastal areas, which will ease as the system moves east.

Department of Fire and Emergency

Services assistant commissioner Paul Carr said those travelling in the region over the long weekend should take precautions. Residents in the South-West and Great Southern should lock down loose objects around their homes and trim overhead branches as early as possible, he said.

Make sure that you have your emergency kits ready. Charge up all your devices before the weather comes in. Get a battery-operated radio, because if the power does go out, you will actually need that to listen to the alerts and warnings, Carr said.