WA weather: Pilbara, Gascoyne, Goldfields, South Interior to brace for severe thunderstorms and damaging winds

A severe thunderstorm and damaging winds are set to batter parts of WA in the next several hours.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a weather warning about 3:40pm for people in Paraburdoo, Tom Price, Laverton, Leinster, Leonora, Menzies, Three Rivers, and Wiluna.

“A very hot, unstable atmosphere and a surface trough is producing thunderstorms this afternoon through the warning area,” the alert stated.

“Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds in the warning area over the next several hours.

“Locations which may be affected include Paraburdoo, Tom Price, Laverton, Leinster, Leonora, Menzies, Three Rivers and Wiluna.”

People in the warning zone are encouraged to follow the advice from The Department of Fire and Emergency Services below:

• If outside find safe shelter away from trees, power lines, storm water drains and streams.
• Close your curtains and blinds, and stay inside away from windows.
• Unplug electrical appliances and do not use land line telephones if there is lightning.
• If there is flooding, create your own sandbags by using pillow cases filled with sand and place them around doorways to protect your home.
• If boating, swimming or surfing leave the water.
• Do not drive into water of unknown depth and current.
• Slow down and turn your headlights on.
• Be alert and watch for hazards on the road such as fallen power lines and loose debris.
• If it is raining heavily and you cannot see, pull over and park with your hazard lights on until the rain clears.

The latest weather warning updates can be found here.