RESIDENTS from Bullsbrook to Armadale are being warned to prepare for damaging winds of up to 100km/hr which are expected to hit the Hills this evening.
Bureau of Meteorology duty forecaster Neil Bennett said the winds were expected to start picking up along the Darling Scarp from 9pm this evening and extend until the morning.
“These strong easterly winds have been noticeably absent over the past few years in the Hills,” he said.
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READ NOW“We do get damaging winds on occasion but this set up we haven’t had for awhile.
“We advise when people get home from work they should do a quick tidy up and fasten any loose objects.”
Mr Bennett said the strong winds coupled with the chance of a thunderstorm over the hills during the afternoon was a recipe for dangerous fire weather conditions.
“Obviously thunderstorms mean there is a risk of a lightning strike on the ground igniting a fire and in these hot, windy conditions any bushfire will be quite tricky for firefighters,” he said.
“We need people to be mindful of these fire weather conditions and not to be complacent especially with temperatures forecast to reach 38 degrees today and temperatures remaining hot for the remainder of the week.”
RAC tips to householders preparing for a storm
Storms often come quickly and catch homeowners off guard so our advice is to take a look around your front and back yards for any potential risks and try to minimise them as much as possible.
Items that are most often damaged in a storm include fences and gates, ceilings, roofs and patios, but some simple precautions can help protect your home.
Secure loose outdoor objects such as furniture.
If there’s lightning, unplug electrical appliances such as your modem and avoid using your landline telephone.
Make sure your mobile phone is fully charged and always keep an emergency kit handy which includes a battery-operated radio, a torch with spare batteries and a first-aid kit.
Stay indoors and if you find yourself outdoors during a storm, take shelter away from trees, power lines, metal objects, stormwater drains, rivers and streams.