Severe weather warning issued for massive stretch of WA coastline as authorities urge public to ‘act now’

Severe weather warning issued for WA coastline

Authorities are warning of wild storm conditions set to hit the Western Australia coastline in the coming hours. Residents across the Perth metro area, the South West, and the lower South West have been told to "act now" to stay safe ahead of the severe weather, as reported by both 7NEWS Australia and PerthNow.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) early on Wednesday alerted the public to a cold front bringing persistent rain and thunderstorms that will impact coastal areas and parts of the hills. The warning covers a massive stretch of coastline, and officials are urging preparedness.

Expected rainfall and flooding risk

Heavy rainfall could cause flash flooding in parts of the South West and Lower West areas, according to the BoM. Between 30mm and 60mm of rain is expected across a six-hour period, with localised falls up to 90mm possible. The heaviest falls are expected from Mandurah down to Bunbury.

Rain is expected to shift north into Perth before eventually pushing inland into the Wheatbelt and Great Southern throughout the day. Rainfall is expected to ease in the early evening, offering some respite after the downpour.

DFES warning and actions

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) has warned the public, particularly locals in the Bunbury, Busselton, Mandurah, Collie, Harvey, and Dwellingup areas, to "act now and stay safe." The warning comes after significant rainfall was already recorded: 52.8mm fell east of Busselton in the two hours before 9.30pm on Tuesday, and 50.8mm was recorded at Ravenscliffe in the five hours to 12.30am on Wednesday.

Both 7NEWS Australia and PerthNow carried the same details of the warning and the rainfall figures in their reports, emphasising the urgency of the situation for residents in the warning zone.