Cyclone Narelle: Perth may face record-breaking drenching as tropical cyclone nears WA coast | USAEMALL.com

Experts warn that Perth could break a 91-year weather record as residents across the State prepare for Tropical Cyclone Narelle.

Residents in WA’s north have begun to bunker down and tourists have been urged to leave as the Category 4 system continues to move towards the Pilbara.

While Perth residents got a small taste of Narelle with damaging winds on Thursday morning, weather experts have warned it’s the heavy rainfall that should concern city dwellers.

The daily March rainfall record for the Perth metropolitan area is 77.6mm, which poured over parts of the city in 1934.

Bureau meteorologist Jessica Lingard says there is a chance that Perth will beat that record this weekend.

“Wind is not the biggest risk this weekend for Perth – it’s the significant rainfall after a long dry summer,” Ms Lingard said.

“There are some rainfalls in localised patches of the Perth area that could absolutely beat that 1934 record.”

An average of 20mm to 50mm of rainfall is expected to pour across the Perth area on both Friday and Saturday, with forecasts predicting some parts of the city could see close to 80mm of rainfall.

A flood warning remains in place for Perth, as well as parts of the Pilbara and Gascoyne regions, with experts concerned rivers may overflow due to the torrential rain.

“River and creek level rises and areas of minor to moderate flooding may develop from Thursday onwards,” the official warning reads.

“Localised flooding and overland inundation is also possible within the warning area as well as prolonged overland flooding and ponding.”

While strong winds will continue to roar across Perth through the rest of the week, experts say they are less concerning than the heavy rainfall.

“It is becoming a lot less likely that Perth will feel the impact of the severe winds from Cyclone Narelle,” Ms Lingard said.

“While there will still be winds, they won’t be as strong as gusts up north and are likely to weaken over the next few days.”

Ms Lingard has encouraged Perth residents to adquately prepare before the wild weather conditions slam the metropolitan region.

“Prepare for windy conditions, secure all furniture or loose items, and make sure you are keeping up to date on the storm,” she said.

“Ensure you look at gutters and clean debris before the rain hits — the last thing anyone wants this weekend is to sustain roof damage to their property.”