Households warned to prepare as severe weather predicted for WA Day weekend
Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia has warned 'winter is coming' as he urged households to prepare for Perth's first major storm of the season due to hit on WA Day.
Authorities are asking residents to prepare their homes to reduce the likelihood of storm related damage as flocks of families travel to the regions to celebrate the long weekend.
Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Gianni Colangelo said the wild weather was set to begin on WA Day on Monday.
Up to 25mm of rain is forecast on Monday, while up to 60mm is predicted over the following two days.
'We're able to identify the first large cold front of the season is upon us, set to arrive on Monday at the end of the long weekend coming,' Mr Colangelo said.
'It's cold fronts like these and others throughout the season that often deliver areas of severe weather.
'Severe weather that we see every winter season, damaging gale force winds, sometimes destructive, heavy rainfall, flash flooding, abnormally high tides and damaging surf.'
Mr Papalia said it was up to West Australians to prepare themselves for the weather ahead.
'Winter is coming, that's the message we're delivering today to all Western Australians, particularly here in the southwest,' he said.
'The stormy winter weather is about upon us and it's time that we all took time to prepare ourselves, prepare your homes, do what you can to make the job of our State Emergency Service and other volunteers a lot easier.'
DFES responded to more than 1000 calls for assistance between June and October last year, the majority of calls related to roof and structural damage, fallen trees and water ingress in homes.
According to the emergency service, crews spent an average of 3.5 hours at properties for damage which could have likely been prevented.
To prevent unnecessary damage residents should clean gutters and downpipes, remove overhanging branches as well as secure trampolines, furniture and bins which could become airborne in strong winds.
DFES deputy commissioner Craig Waters said it was easy to be complacent after an especially long summer.
'We're just asking the community not to be complacent and to ensure that they're well prepared that both their property and their family are prepared for the coming storm season,' he said.
'People can often get caught off guard in relation to the change of seasons and we often see the most destructive weather coming in those first couple of cold fronts as part of the winter months.'
Residents are reminded to stay up to date with the latest warnings using the Emergency WA website and app.
In the case of serious damage to your home which is urgent, you should call the SES on 132 500 or call triple zero (000) in the case of a life-threatening emergency.
SATURDAY:
22C, showers and chance of storms
SUNDAY:
22C, showers
MONDAY:
22C, showers and chance of storms
TUESDAY:
20C, showers and chance of storms
WEDNESDAY:
20C, high chance of showers
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