Authorities have warned that West Australians could be hit with one of the worst storms the State has faced in five years, with torrential rain and destructive winds expected to batter WA’s south this long weekend.

The Bureau of Meteorology and Department of Fire and Emergency Services warned of an “unusually strong and intense” winter system from Saturday evening, bringing heavy rain and fierce winds across the central coast on Sunday and Monday.

It is expected to hit more than a dozen cities and towns south of Kalbarri including Perth, Geraldton, Merredin, Narrogin and Esperance.

Bureau of Meteorology WA manager James Ashley said wind gusts could reach speeds of 125km/h, causing large waves, high tides and possible river flooding.

“We’re expecting damaging winds of 90 to 100km/h across a large part of the southwest land division and other southern parts of the State across the long weekend,” he said on Friday.

“The system will whip up the ocean with waves reaching up to 8m offshore, that’s likely to cause beach erosion, particularly around the time of high tides on Sunday and Monday mornings.

“The tides will be higher than normal through those periods as well, so there could be flooding of low-lying coastal areas and also estuarine areas, including the Swan River.”

He said coastal regions could be swamped with up to 50mm of rainfall.

“It’s the type of system we don’t see very often in the south west of WA,” he said.

“It’s likely to be the strongest winter system we see this year, and maybe with the sort of system we only see every four or five years or so, so we urge people to keep across the warnings that come out of the Bureau of Meteorology and through Emergency WA.”

Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Sarah Scully said localities in State’s south were even at risk of being battered by tornadoes.

“Damaging to locally destructive winds are expected to pick up about the coast and adjacent land areas (from Saturday afternoon), and in fact, it’s just ahead of this trough line, where the risk of tornadoes develops,” she said.

“This risk is expected to continue through until Sunday morning, and any tornadoes that do form will be very short-lived and very difficult to track.”

DFES assistant commissioner Paul Carr urged residents to tie down loose items before the storm hits, and asked the community to look out for one another.

“Ensure loose objects, such as tarpaulins, bins, patio furniture, and even sheds, are actually locked down, so they do not become airborne,” he said.

“Make those minor repairs to properties, trim overhead branches that may come down against structures such as fencing, housing, and sheds . . . the opportunity is to get that done earlier before the wind actually kicks in.

“This is where we ask the community to help themselves, help their family and help their neighbours, especially if they have not yet prepared or they need assistance.”

The Bureau of Meteorology has since issued several warnings for abnormally high tides and damaging surf, damaging locally destructive winds and heavy rainfall.

“A strong cold front will sweep over western districts overnight on Saturday, bringing damaging to locally destructive wind gusts and periods of heavy rainfall,” a spokesperson said.

PERTH WEATHER FORECAST

• Saturday: Showers increasing. Windy, 7-22 ☔️
• Sunday: Showers. Windy, 13-21 ☔️
• Monday: Showers easing. Wind easing, 12-19 ☔️
• Tuesday: Showers increasing, 9-19 ☔️
• Wednesday: Showers, 10-19 ☔️
• Thursday: Showers easing, 9-19 ☔️
• Friday: Shower or two, 9-19 ☔️

Forecast sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology.