Tropical Cyclone Bianca while a weak catagory one is tracking towards Perth metro and South West areas.
For anyone in Perth while cyclones this far south are rare (last one was Alby about 35+ years ago) they do come down this far. Areas around Carnarvon have been given the all clear for damaging winds as Bianca has tracked out to sea to take a sweeping arc down to Perth. High Winds and rain are estimated to hit within 48 hours. There is no need to panic just make sure everything is tied down - especially if you are camping - and stay AWAY from beaches - tides are forecast to drastically increase.
Beach erosion is very likely if the cyclone does not change course.
At least it may bring some respite from this ludicrous heat :-)
Reply to this Just an update - the cyclone is moving fast down the coast towards Perth and is expected to make landfall around Bunbury 7am sunday morning. Jurien Bay to Albany is under active Cyclone ALERT now - national park rangers have visited campgrounds to let people make plans and have cleared all hikers who could be found from the bibbilmum track and other known hiking trails.
Expect destructive winds, extreme surf and coastal erosion - so if you are camping on the beach at Yallingup (lucky you!) you may want to make sure everything is tied down and move OFF the beach or seek temporary shelter. Flash flooding (not to the extent of the qld floods) is a possibility depending on where and when it makes landfall.
An EXTREME fire danger has been issued for the perth metro area and south west due to possible lightning strikes - FESA have also asked people to avoid non essential travel to the south west until the cyclone has passed or been downgraded.
IF by tommorow afternoon the path of the cyclone has not altered or its intensity prepare for an extremely severe winter storm like event - should it intensify (it has just been upgraded to a category 2 cyclone - Cyclone Alby in 1978 was a catagory one and killed 5 people) be aware of how to keep yourself safe.
If you are in areas likely to be affected log onto www.bom.gov.au or www.fesa.com.au for alerts and cyclone preparedness tips - the safest place to be if the cyclone makes landfall is always inside a brick dwelling in the smallest room of the house - houses in the south west and Perth metro area are not built to withstand cyclone winds..the building codes that apply from QLD across the top end to the 26th parallel on the west coast are not required to meet these codes.
Reply to this And updated again to .....nothing......cyclone has dissipated out to sea and will not cause any damage at all. The only areas expecting high seas are Jurien Bay to Dunsborough - incl Perth Metro - which should have settled by monday. Northam, York and Geraldton areas were hit by a severe unrelated storm cell which unfortunately resulted in two deaths and several hundred buildings damaged. Road closures should be taken care of by tommorow.
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