'You are at risk': Warning as 'triple storm threat' approaches
Travellers planning camping or caravan trips in WA have been issued a warning over a looming "triple threat" cyclone.
Tropical Cyclone Seroja is tracking south from its current position 670km northwest of Karratha and is expected to make landfall as early as Sunday between Perth and Coral Bay.
A cyclone advice alert has been issued by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services for an area spanning from Onslow to Jurien Bay in the state's Pilbara, Gascoyne and Mid West regions.
"Seroja is expected to bring a relatively brief but intense period of dangerous weather to the west coast of WA late on Sunday or on Monday, somewhere between Perth and Coral Bay, most likely between Jurien Bay and Carnarvon," the Bureau of Meteorology says on its website.
"This is a rare event for people on the west coast of WA."
BoM described the weather event as a "triple threat" as Seroja joined two other tropical lows west of WA.
WA Emergency Services Assistant Commissioner Paul Ryan said to people planning to travel in a caravan or camp: "You are at risk".
"We ask that all travellers in the area – and we know there's quite a lot of travellers up the northwest of Western Australia at the moment – they should start considering to leave the area now," he said.
Acting DFES commissioner Craig Waters said there were many holidaymakers in the area, many of whom would not have experienced a cyclone before.
Triple threat: Satellite loop shows Tropical #CycloneSeroja (furthest right) joined by two other tropical lows west of #WA.
TC Seroja is forecast to impact the west coast of WA later this weekend, focussed between #Perth and Coral Bay.
Latest 🌀info:https://t.co/4tahnt9I4V pic.twitter.com/DgakUa2BbJ— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) April 7, 2021
"Recent rainfall and flooding has already battered the northern half of WA during the current cyclone season," he said on Thursday.
"If you're in a tent or caravan, you are simply not protected against the damaging winds that may hit the region.
"Some roads in the area are still undergoing maintenance to repair damage from recent flooding events and Tropical Cyclone Seroja has the potential to cause further damage making roads unpassable for days, if not longer."
The DFES is urging travellers to reconsider their plans and stay up to date with the latest emergency information.
"The size of this potential impact area is another reason to be prepared, because you may need to travel some distance before you are out of harm's way," Mr Waters said.
WA braces for destructive winds, heavy rainfall
BoM says on its website the cyclone will strengthen as it tracks to the southwest over open waters north of WA.
"During Saturday, it is expected to take a more southerly track while remaining well offshore from the west coast," BoM said.
"On Sunday, it is expected to turn to the southeast towards the west coast and make landfall most likely later Sunday or Monday.
"There is likely to be destructive winds, very heavy rainfall and higher than normal tides close to Seroja's path.
"The strongest winds will be just to the north of Seroja's track. The most intense rainfall, with the associated danger of flash flooding, will be just to the south of Seroja's track."
with AAP
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