Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Central Wheat Belt and parts of Gascoyne, Central West, Lower West and Great Southern districts.

Issued at 5:33 pm Saturday, 26 March 2022.

Severe storms extending from the Central Gascoyne to northern parts of the Great Southern.

Weather Situation: A trough is combining with a strong upper trough and low to produce extensive thunderstorm activity across parts of western WA. Thunderstorm activity will continue to extend eastward this afternoon and evening.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding, damaging winds and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Meekatharra, Mount Magnet, Narrogin, Northam, Lake Grace, Morawa, Pingelly, Wongan Hills.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Central West and Central Wheat Belt districts. Locations which may be affected include Merredin, Beacon, Mukinbudin, Paynes Find, Southern Cross and Yalgoo.

2-4cm hail stones were observed in the area of Kalannie around 1:30 pm.

19.6mm in 30 minutes at Badgingarra earlier this afternoon.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:
* 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.