If you live south west of a line from Kalbarri to Mount Magnet to Kalgoorlie to Forrest you need to get ready now for dangerous weather coming tonight and into tomorrow morning.

This includes people in Kalbarri, Northampton, Geraldton, Jurien Bay, Dalwallinu, Southern Cross, Kalgoorlie, the Perth Metropolitan area, Mandurah, York, Narrogin, Katanning, Bunbury, Busselton, Margaret River, Bridgetown, Albany, Esperance, Eucla and surrounding areas.

This type of weather only occurs once or twice a year and is likely to cause major damage to homes and make travel dangerous.

WHAT TO DO: DFES has these tips to help you and your family get ready now: • Store or weigh down loose objects around your home like outdoor furniture that could be picked up and thrown by strong winds, causing damage or injury • Ensure your emergency kit is complete including a battery operated radio, torch, spare batteries and first aid kit • Ensure pets and animals are in a safe area • Move vehicles under cover • Boat owners should securely moor their boats • Campers should find safe shelter away from trees, powerlines, storm water drains and streams If you are away from home contact family or friends to prepare your property

WEATHER DETAILS: As at 1.55 pm on Sunday 7 September 2014 the Bureau of Meteorology advises the passage of a strong cold front from Sunday evening is expected to cause widespread damaging winds to 100 kilometres per hour that could result in damage to homes and property.

Damaging winds are likely to develop over the Southwest Capes from about 8pm Sunday night and extend to the Perth Metropolitan area around 10pm. The risk will then extend eastwards to reach Kalgoorlie and Esperance by about 5am Monday morning and Forrest and Eucla after 8am Monday morning.

In isolated areas southwest of a line from Jurien Bay to Merredin to Bremer Bay, dangerous gusts in excess of 125 kilometres per hour could cause significant localised damage or destruction to homes and property with the passage of the front.

Thunderstorms and small hail are also forecast along the southern coastline and extending north to Perth.

Tides will be higher than normal in coastal parts from Kalbarri to Eucla and may result in flooding of low-lying coastal areas. Dangerous surf conditions are likely which could cause beach erosion.

The passage of this cold front will be followed by another strong cold front on Monday afternoon. This is also likely to produce severe weather over southwest parts of the state and a separate Severe Weather Warning will be issued for this event on Monday morning.

These two strong cold fronts are expected to be windier than typical fronts and are likely to produce the kind of weather that is only seen once or twice a year over southern WA.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS: • If your home has been badly damaged by a storm call the SES on 132 500 • In a life threatening situation call 000 • For the latest weather information visit http://www.bom.gov.au/ or call 1300 659 213

After a storm State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers make temporary repairs to homes that have been badly damaged, such as roofs that have been ripped off or large fallen trees on homes and cars. Please contact your insurance company to organise permanent repairs.

KEEP UP TO DATE: Visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au, call 13 DFES (13 3337), follow DFES on Twitter @dfes_wa or listen to news bulletins.