Images captured by stranded travellers show entire sections of road wiped out by fast running water, car roofs protruding from deep floodwater and helicopters deployed to rescue motorists.

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Australian Bureau of Meteorology state manager James Ashley said Carnarvon had registered 176 millimetres of rain to date, with other sites showing readings of more than 200 millimetres.

Mr Ashley said the heavy rainfall had prompted water levels at the Gascoyne River to surge to more than 7 metres at Nine Mile Bridge, readings just shy of those during the 2010 floods.

“It is significant and it’s dangerous particularly if you’re moving around in those areas,” he said.

Mr Ashley said there was no more rain forecast for the Gascoyne in the coming days, as the tropical low moved south, which meant river levels would slowly decrease over several days.

He said the bureau estimated the front would pass Geraldton about 3am on Sunday, before hitting Perth’s west with gusts of up to 100 km/h on Sunday evening and easing off on Monday.

It is expected to dump between 20 and 40 millimetres of rainfall over the Wooroloo fire site over the weekend and bring unusually low temperatures for this time of the year to the area.

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People in coastal areas should expect strong northerly winds during the weekend and tides up to a metre above normal levels, which could cause flooding in areas like Geographe Bay.

Mr McGowan said sections of West Coast Coastal Highway between Overlander Road House and Coral Bay could remain closed for a prolonged period of time due to the damage to infrastructure.

“The advice is that this is a one-in-ten-years flood,” he said.

“Authorities are concerned about people who try to drive through floodwaters, so please take the advice seriously. Do not try to walk or drive through floodwaters, this is extremely dangerous.”

He urged people not to go into national parks, particularly into gorges, in the affected area.

A severe weather warning is in place for coastal parts from Kalbarri to Albany and across the South West as the system moves south offshore to the west coast.

What to do:

• If outside find safe shelter away from trees, powerlines, stormwater drains and streams.
• Close your curtains and blinds, and stay inside away from windows.
• Unplug electrical appliances and avoid using landline telephones if there is lightning.
• If there is flooding, create your own sandbags by using pillow cases filled with sand and place them around doorways to protect your home.
• If boating, swimming or surfing leave the water.

If driving:

• Do not drive into water of unknown depth and current.
• Slow down, turn your lights on and keep a safe distance from other drivers.
• Be alert and watch for hazards on the road such as fallen powerlines and loose debris.
• If it is raining heavily and you cannot see, pull over and park with your hazard lights on until the rain clears.