All clear given

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Time of issue: 9.30am

Date of issue: 14 March 2015 

CYCLONE ALL CLEAR advice for Billabong Roadhouse to Jurien Bay in the Midwest Gacsoyne 

COMMUNITY ALERT LEVEL:
A CYCLONE ALL CLEAR advice is current for people in ornear the coastal and inland communities of Billabong Roadhouse to Jurien Bay, following the weakening of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Olwyn.  

The threat has passed but take care to avoid the dangers caused by damage. 

WHAT TO DO:
DFES advises: 
 

  • It is now safe to return home. 

  • If returning, take the roads recommended by authorities and do not hurry,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 sewage pipes, loose roof sheeting and other material. 

  • Do not walk, swim or play in floodwaters as they are dangerous.  

  • Some services such as power and telephones may not be working. Service providers will be working to restore these as soon as they can.   

IF YOUR HOME HAS BEEN DAMAGED: 

  • Call the State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500 if you need help. 

  • Protect your feet with closed shoes. 

  • Stack loose material clear of water metres, valves and telephone lines. 

  • Keep electricity and all appliances turned off until checked by an electrician. 

  • Have gas appliances inspected and cleaned before use. 

  • Never use matches, cigarette lighters or naked flames when entering a building due to the potential of flammable gas. 

  • Take photographs for insurance purposes. 

  • If you need a place to stay seek help from welfare agencies or use your personal camping equipment including tents, cooking gear and generators.  

ROAD CLOSURES: 
Main Roads advises the North West Coastal Highway is now open from Geraldton to the Kalbarri turn off and the Northampton Kalbarri Road now open.  

The following roads remain closed; 

  • North West Coastal Highway from Nanutarra Roadhouse to Ajana-Kalbarri Road
  • Northampton Kalbarri Road
  • Shark Bay Road 
  • Minilya Exmouth Road 
  • Coral Bay Road
  • Burkett Road
  • Ajana Kalbarri Road 
 

Motorists are adives to drive with caution through cyclone affected areas while the recovery effort is stil underway.  

CYCLONE DETAILS:
As at 9.04am the Bureau of Meteorology advises Ex-Tropical Cyclone (TC) Olwyn, now a Tropical Low, sustained winds near the centre of 55 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 85 kilometres per hour. The Tropical low is now estimated to be 45 kilometres east of Geraldton and 50 kilometres southwest of Mullewa moving south southeast at 22 kilometres per hour.

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Olwyn lies to the east of Geraldton and has weakened below cyclone intensity. Although the system has been downgraded there is still the possibility of damaging winds and heavy rainfall to the east of the system in the south Gascoyne and central and eastern parts of the Southwest Land Division. 

A SEVERE WEATHER WARNING is current for parts of the Southwest Land Division and adjacent parts of the Gascoyne within an area bounded by Kalbarri to Mount Magnet to Southern Cross to Hopetoun to Albany to Moora to Kalbarri

 

INCIDENT INFORMATION:
DFES damage assessment teams in Carnarvon, Coral Bay and Shark Bay are working to make roads safe for driving by removing fallen trees and working with Horizon Power on fallen lines. 

A detailed recovery statement will be released to media shortly. 

DFES is working closely with other agencies to minimise the impact on the community.  

IMPORTANT NUMBERS  

  • For SES assistance call 132 500.  

  • In a life threatening situation call 000.  

  • For the latest weather information visit www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 210.  

  • For information about road conditions contact Main Roads WA on 138 138 or visit www.mainroads.wa.com.au   

  • To report downed powerlines call Horizon Power on 13 23 51.