WA:WA's Kimberley region on flood alert

AAP General News (Australia)
12-30-2010
WA:WA's Kimberley region on flood alert

PERTH, Dec 30 AAP - A flood alert has been issued for the north and west Kimberley
region as a tropical low moves in from the east.

Western Australia's Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) says that while there
is no immediate danger, residents and holidaymakers in the affected region should prepare
for flooding.

WA's Bureau of Meteorology says the developing low northeast of Kununurra may bring
heavy rainfall between 100 and 150mm over the next two days as the system moves west.

FESA urged people to watch for changes in water levels and to be ready to relocate
and move equipment and livestock early so they were not caught in floodwaters.

It also advised people to prepare emergency kits with enough canned food and water
to last four days and to avoid driving or walking into floodwaters of unknown depth and
current.

The Bureau of Meteorology said the low was expected to develop into a tropical cyclone
off WA's northwest coast on New Year's Day and it has declared a cyclone watch for coastal
areas from Exmouth to Wallal.

Severe weather meteorologist Brad Santos said the low was likely to move offshore from
the Kimberley and develop into a cyclone on Friday or New Year's Day off the Pilbara coast
after moving quickly west-southwest.

"We're not anticipating at this stage a severe tropical cyclone," Mr Santos said.

"But people need to be aware, particularly over the holiday time."

Gales may develop along the Pilbara coast on Saturday as the system moved along the
coast, a bureau advisory said.

AAP ldj/apm

KEYWORD: CYCLONE WA 2ND UPDATE

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