Veronica dumps more than a year’s worth of rain in less than 12 hours, Western Australia

While the eye of Tropical Cyclone "Veronica" didn't cross the coast, very heavy rainfall and strong winds hit the Pilbara coast of Western Australia. 

The wind and very heavy rainfall have now eased, however, road conditions may remain hazardous today and communities may be isolated as flooding continues. Flood Watches and Warnings remain in place for localized flooding in parts of the central and west Pilbara coast and adjacent inland areas, particularly around Marble Bar.

"On the back of the 1 in 100 year, 24 hour total of 360 mm [14.17 inches] that was recorded at Upper North Pole in the 24 hours to 09:00 yesterday, more heavy rain fell in the 24 hours to 09:00 today, with Upper North Pole recording a further 61 mm [2.40 inches]," BOM senior forecaster, Andrea Peace said March 26.

Ex-tropical cyclone Veronica continues moving WSW, parallel to the Pilbara coast, but it's not expected to re-intensify into a tropical cyclone.

However, more showers are expected about the western Pilbara coast today, before easing later in the day. 

Roebourne Airport received more than 250 mm (9.84 inches) of rain in just two hours early this morning, 9NEWS reports. As of 05:00 LT, the site had received more than a year's worth of rain during the previous 12 hours.

The airport received 332.4 mm (13.08 inches) of rain since from 09:00 LT, March 25 to 05:00 LT, March 26 – their highest daily total in more than 100 years of records.

Further east, Port Hedland picked up another 134 mm (5.27 inches) of rain overnight, bringing their three-day total to 355 mm (13.97 inches). This is their wettest three-day spell since 1967.

Urandangie recorded 133 mm (5.23 inches) of rain in 24 hours ending 09:00 LT, March 26 – its highest daily total in three years. 

Featured image credit: DFES