The Bureau of Meteorology has issued an urgent warning for residents in parts of Western Australia's Pilbara and northern Gascoyne regions, with a severe thunderstorm expected to unleash heavy rain and damaging winds in the coming hours.
Immediate Threat for Multiple Communities
The alert, issued at 8:12pm on Monday, 12 January 2026, specifically targets people in and around Newman, Paraburdoo, Tom Price, Three Rivers, Nullagine and Jigalong. The Bureau warned that slow-moving thunderstorms developing north of a surface trough are likely to produce dangerous conditions.
"Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours," the official warning stated. An early indication of the system's strength was an observed wind gust of 87km/hr at Karijini North at 7:50pm.
Critical Safety Advice for Residents
Authorities are urging people in the affected zone to take immediate precautions to protect themselves and their property. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has issued a clear set of instructions for communities in the storm's path.
Residents are advised to find safe shelter away from trees, power lines and waterways if they are outdoors. Inside homes, people should close curtains and stay away from windows while unplugging electrical appliances during lightning activity.
For those concerned about potential flooding, a key recommendation is to create makeshift sandbags using pillowcases filled with sand and placing them around doorways. All boating, swimming and surfing activities should cease immediately.
Essential Road Safety During the Storm
Motorists face particularly hazardous conditions. Drivers are warned not to enter water of unknown depth or current. Key advice includes slowing down, turning headlights on, and being extremely alert for hazards like fallen power lines and debris.
If heavy rain drastically reduces visibility, the safest action is to pull over, park with hazard lights activated, and wait for the conditions to clear. The public is encouraged to monitor the Bureau of Meteorology website for the latest updates and warnings as the situation develops.
