Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Damaging Winds in Pilbara and Gascoyne Districts

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning (IDW21034) for damaging winds. This is a top-priority alert for immediate broadcast affecting residents in the western Pilbara and northwestern Gascoyne districts of Western Australia.

Affected Areas

The warning area encompasses parts of the Pilbara and Gascoyne regions. Specific locations that may be affected by the storm system include:

• Coral Bay
• Nanutarra
• Pannawonica
• Millstream

What You Should Do

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services advises residents to take the following safety measures:

• Seek Shelter: Find safe shelter away from trees, power lines, storm water drains, and streams.
• Indoor Safety: Close curtains and blinds, and stay inside away from windows. Unplug electrical appliances and avoid using landline telephones if lightning is present.
• Flood Protection: If flooding occurs, create sandbags using pillowcases filled with sand to protect doorways.
• Water Activities: If boating, swimming, or surfing, leave the water immediately.
• Driving Safety: Do not drive into water of unknown depth or current. Slow down, turn on headlights, and watch for hazards like fallen power lines and debris. If heavy rain prevents visibility, pull over and park with hazard lights on until conditions improve.

Expected Conditions

A number of high-based thunderstorms have initiated in the western Pilbara and are moving quickly to the west-southwest. These storms are capable of producing damaging wind gusts within the warning area over the next several hours.

Timeline

The alert was issued at 2:53 pm Friday, 6 March 2026. The severe conditions are expected to continue for several hours following the issuance. The next formal warning update is scheduled to be issued by 5:55 pm.