Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Heavy Rainfall in Kimberley, North Interior and Pilbara Districts

Alert Details

Alert Type: Severe Thunderstorm Warning for HEAVY RAINFALL (IDW21033) Issuing Agency: Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) Status: Top Priority for Immediate Broadcast

Affected Areas

This warning is in effect for residents in parts of the following forecast districts in Western Australia:

• North Interior
• Kimberley
• Pilbara

What You Should Do

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) advises the following safety precautions:

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

Expected Conditions

Slow-moving showers and thunderstorms have developed within a humid airmass along a trough lying through the Pilbara, Kimberley, and North Interior. These severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours.

Timeline

• Issued: 7:33 am Tuesday, 17 February 2026
• Duration: Conditions are expected to persist over the next several hours.
• Next Update: The next warning is scheduled to be issued by 10:35 am.