11/04/2021
๐จPublic Announcement ๐จ
As per the direction given by DFES, Wongan Hills is currently still in the red alert area. This means that unless advised otherwise we will not be opening at 8am. We will provide updated opening hours once advised it is safe for us to go outside.
If you are within the red alert zone, please follow the advise given by emergency advice given by Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA.
๐๐ข 05:12 PM, 27/04/21 - Cyclone ALL CLEAR WITH CAUTION between Carnarvon and Lancelin, extending inland to Paynes Find in the Goldfields-Midlands and Midwest Gascoyne. ๐ข๐
โ No further alerts will be issued for this incident. However, information about recovering from Tropical Cyclone Seroja will continue to be available via the Recovery page on Emergency WA (a link is available below), which features important information and links to a range of services to help cyclone-affected communities get back on their feet.
โ Please note State Emergency Service volunteers can help you with urgent temporary repairs, you can call the SES for assistance on 132 500 as well as those who no longer require assistance.
โWHAT TO DOโ
DFES advises, if returning to a damaged property:
- Take care on the roads, 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 sewerage pipes, loose roof sheeting and other material.
- Protect your feet with closed shoes.
- Stack loose material clear of water meters, valves and powerlines.
- Keep electricity and all electrical and gas appliances turned off until checked by a qualified tradesperson.
- Never use matches, cigarette lighters or naked flames when entering a building as there may be a gas leak.
- Take photographs for insurance purposes and contact your insurance company.
- If you require assistance from SES volunteers to repair urgent damage to your property you should phone 132500 in the first instance. Those people who are experiencing communication issues can attend the DFES Incident Control Vehicle in the car park outside the Kalbarri Police Station, 48 Grey Street, Kalbarri from 7am-4pm daily.
๐ท COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS ๐ท
The Premier has announced an end to the three-day lockdown for the Perth metropolitan and Peel regions from 12.01am Tuesday April 27 with some interim restrictions until 12.01am Saturday May 1.
Masks have been made mandatory for all people in the Perth metropolitan area and for people who have visited or been in Perth since April 17.
All emergency services personnel working in the Midwest and Wheatbelt on the Cyclone Seroja response effort will be following this health advice and wearing masks as many of them have been in Perth since April 17.
The safety of emergency services personnel and the community is our top priority, and all necessary precautions will be taken.
๐ COMMUNITY MEETINGS ๐
There is one community meeting scheduled for:
11:00am on Friday 30 April at the Morawa Greater Sports Ground, Evans St Morawa.
All attendees must continue to follow COVID-19 precautions and maintain appropriate physical distancing
๐ IF YOU NEED SUPPORT ๐
Department of Communities has opened Recovery Centres at:
- Kalbarri Golf Club, Haselby Street, Kalbarri (9:30am to 4pm)
- Northampton RSL, Corner of Essex Street and NW Coastal Highway, Northampton (9:30am to 4pm)
Please note, Catholic Diocese at 7 Maitland Street in Geraldton is now closed.
Emergency assistance may be available for individuals or families to alleviate the personal hardship or distress arising as a direct result of Tropical Cyclone Seroja.
Representatives from relevant support agencies will attend to help people access the support they need. Affected residents can also apply for disaster relief online at communities.wa.gov.au/disasterrelief
Due to a high number of applications there will be delays in processing times.
For further information please call the Disaster Response Hotline on 1800 032 965 or email [email protected]
In addition, the Australian Government is providing financial support to those directly affected. Visit https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/tropical-cyclone-seroja-april-2021 for more information.
For additional information and resources please refer to the Emergency WA Recovery webpage at dfes.wa.gov.au/emergencywa/recovery.
โ๏ธ RESTRICTED ACCESS PERMITS โ๏ธ
Restricted Access Permits are available for issue to local residents for entry into Kalbarri via Ajana-Kalbarri Road and George Grey Drive/Red Bluff Road.
Restricted Access Permits will be issued by DFES personnel at the following locations:
โช Kalbarri Police Station, 48 Grey Street, Kalbarri (Please attend the DFES Incident Control Vehicle in the car park)
- 7am-4pm daily
โช Northampton RSL, Corner of Essex Street and North West Coastal Highway, Northampton
- 8am-4pm daily
Residents need to bring the following items:
- Valid identification (e.g. Drivers licence)
- Evidence of being a local resident
Requirements when using a Restricted Access Permit:
The Restricted Access Permits must be carried at all times whilst in Kalbarri.
Each person travelling in a vehicle must show identification at the checkpoints as proof of being a local resident.
โน For more information visit the Restricted Access Permits section of the DFES website.
๐ง ROAD CLOSURES AND CONDITIONS ๐ง
The following roads are closed:
- Ajana-Kalbarri Road from North West Coastal Highway to Kalbarri
- George Grey Drive/Red Bluff Road from Port Gregory to Kalbarri
Road information may also be available from Main Roads WA by visiting travelmap.mainroads.wa.gov.au, calling 138 138 or by contacting your Local Government Authority.
๐ซ DRONES๐ซ
Never fly a drone, model aircraft or multirotor over the impacted area. Doing so poses a major safety risk to emergency services personnel in the air and on the ground, and forces aircraft that is bringing vital supplies and support to be grounded or redirected, hindering the recovery efforts.
๐ฅ HEALTH: ๐ฅ
After a cyclone it is important to be aware of a range of hazards that may be present in and around your home and the local community. The immediate risks include damaged or downed power lines and unstable structures. Other risks can include asbestos damage, displaced chemicals, unsafe food due to power outages, damaged wastewater systems and increased mosquito activity.
Information from Department of Health (DoH) is that the risk of airborne asbestos fibres in affected areas remains low. Testing has been carried out in high-impact areas and shows there are no airborne fibres above normal levels.
P2/N95 respirators/masks are not required unless handling asbestos or in close proximity to personnel undertaking asbestos clean-up. However please note emergency services personnel will be wearing masks as part of COVID-19 precautions.
For advice on health hazards including potential asbestos contamination: https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/F_I/Hazards-after-cyclones-and-floods
โก๏ธPOWER โก๏ธ
Around 3300 homes and business remain without power in various locations in the Mid West and Wheatbelt as our recovery and restoration activities continue. Latham and Maya are expected to be the next areas restored.
Western Power teams are currently attending to around a large number of faults in the Geraldton and Three Springs areas. Faults continue to be reported and we are prioritising removal of hazards and obstructions.
The Extended Outage Payment is now $160 for customers affected by the cyclone and is separate from the Federal Governmentโs disaster relief payments. Apply online at https://www.westernpower.com.au/faults-outages/make-a-claim/extended-outage
Fallen powerlines and other electrical infrastructure can cause electric shock even when power is not connected, and only qualified Western Power crews should touch or move downed lines.
If you see a downed powerline or damaged electrical asset, stay at least eight metres clear and call 13 13 51 to report the hazard to Western Power. The timing of your report is important, so crews know whether it has already been attended.
๐ฐDONATIONS๐ฐ
For those wishing to help the affected communities please donate to the Lord Mayorโs Distress Relief Fund at https://bit.ly/3s8Jui9
Donations of goods are currently not being accepted.
๐ณ PARK CLOSURES ๐ณ
There are multiple park closures in the warning area. Visit www.emergency.wa.gov.au for more information.
โน KEEP UP TO DATE โน
โ ๏ธ For the latest warnings: www.emergency.wa.gov.au
๐ Keep an eye on the weather: https://bit.ly/2WRuj0x
๐ฑMake your cyclone plan: www.dfes.wa.gov.au/cyclone
๐Road closures and information: https://travelmap.mainroads.wa.gov.au/Home/Map
โ In a life-threatening situation, always call 000
๐ป Access local ABC radio on the following frequencies:
- Dalwallinu 531 AM
- Geraldton 828 AM
- Kalbarri 106.1 FM
- Mt Magnet 105.7 FM
