Looks like it's going to be a wild weekend. Cyclone Gabby to be is making her way down the Kimberley coast. Looks like more rain, wind and flooding for the Pilbara.

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PRIORITY

TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 1
Issued at 3:50 pm WDT on Thursday, 26 February 2009
BY THE BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY
TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING CENTRE PERTH

A Cyclone WATCH has been declared for a developing tropical low for Pilbara
coastal areas from Wallal to Exmouth.

At 3:00 pm WDT a Tropical Low was estimated to be
210 kilometres west northwest of Kalumburu and
250 kilometres north northeast of Kuri Bay and
moving west southwest at 15 kilometres per hour.

The low is likely to develop into a tropical cyclone on Saturday as it moves to
the southwest towards the Pilbara coast. Gales are not expected in coastal areas
today or Friday but may develop overnight Saturday or during Sunday.

Widespread heavy rain is likely in the Pilbara from Saturday evening as the
system approaches the Pilbara coast, and significant flooding may result.

Details of Tropical Low at 3:00 pm WDT:
.Centre located near...... 13.3 degrees South 125.0 degrees East
.Location accuracy........ within 110 kilometres
.Recent movement.......... towards the west southwest at 15 kilometres per hour
.Wind gusts near centre... 75 kilometres per hour
.Severity category........ below cyclone intensity
.Central pressure......... 1001 hectoPascals

FESA-State Emergency Service advises that there are no community alerts at
present.
Communities between Exmouth and Wallal should listen for the next advice.

The next advice will be issued by 10:00 pm WDT Thursday 26 February.
Cyclone advices and State Emergency Service Community Alerts are available by
dialling 1300 659 210

A map showing the track of the cyclone is available at:
http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/cyclone

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Flood Watch
for the Pilbara Region
Issued at 2:07 PM on Thursday the 26th of February 2009
Western Australia Flood Warning Centre

Meteorological model guidance is indicating that a tropical low will bring
widespread very heavy rainfall of about 200 mm with possible scattered heavier
falls to Pilbara region from Saturday evening onwards. The most likely area to
be affected by flooding is the De Grey and Fortescue River catchments and the
Pilbara Coastal streams between Port Hedland and Karratha.

There continue to be a possibility that the area surrounding Onslow and Karratha
extending inland to Paraburdoo, including the Maitland, Robe and adjacent
streams, may also be affected by flooding during Sunday and Monday.

Catchments in this region may be affected by isolated heavy rainfall during
Friday.

FESA State Emergency Service (SES) advises people in the area to prepare to
relocate equipment and livestock early. Put fuel in your vehicle and watch
water levels. Some roads may be impassable, obey road closure signs and do not
drive into water of unknown depth and current. Floodwaters are dangerous and
you should not walk, swim or play in them. For SES assistance call 132 500.
For more safety tips visit www.fesa.wa.gov.au .