An urgent emergency warning remains in effect for communities along the Western Australian coast as Cyclone Mitchell, now a category two system, continues to unleash its fury. Residents in the north are being advised to seek immediate shelter indoors to avoid potential flash flooding and intensifying rainfall.
Current Conditions and Impact
As of Monday morning, Cyclone Mitchell was positioned off the Ningaloo coast, approximately 115 kilometres south-west of Exmouth and 230 kilometres north of Carnarvon. The system is packing damaging winds reaching up to 120 kilometres per hour, which have already resulted in power outages affecting nearly 2000 properties across the region.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, strong winds are battering coastal areas from east of Giralia to Coral Bay. Senior meteorologist Angus Hines emphasised that despite being downgraded from a category three to a category two, Cyclone Mitchell remains a powerful weather system with significant destructive potential.
Recorded Wind Gusts and Rainfall
Wind gusts have been particularly severe, with Legendre Island recording a peak of 169 kilometres per hour early on Sunday. Additional notable gusts include:
- 148 kilometres per hour at Barrow Island
- 120 kilometres per hour at Onslow
- 100 kilometres per hour at Karratha
- 96 kilometres per hour at Mardie
Mr Hines reported that these winds have caused trees to fall, demonstrating the system's force even as it narrowly avoided direct coastal impact on Sunday. Rainfall has also been substantial, with Karratha receiving 124 millimetres over the weekend, and heavier falls occurring in the north-west.
Flooding Concerns and Power Outages
Flooding remains a critical concern along the cyclone's path, not only in the western Pilbara and Gascoyne regions but also as the system moves southwards into Western Australia's interior in the coming days. Horizon Power has confirmed that 1675 customers in Exmouth are currently without electricity, with restoration estimated by 4pm on Monday.
Emergency Measures and Evacuation Centres
The cyclone emergency warning covers areas from Exmouth south to the Wooramel Roadhouse, extending inland through parts of the western Pilbara and western Gascoyne. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services strongly advises against leaving homes, recommending shelter in the safest part of a building instead.
In response to the severe weather, at least 17 schools have been closed on Monday. Several facilities have been converted into evacuation centres, including:
- Share Bay Recreation Centre
- Exmouth Shire Hall
- Onslow Multi Purpose Centre
- Carnarvon PCYC
Residents are reminded that pets are not permitted at these centres for health and safety reasons, except for recognised assistance animals.
Forecast and Movement
Cyclone Mitchell is moving in a south south-westerly direction at a speed of 13 kilometres per hour. It is expected to track south towards the Ningaloo and Carnarvon coastlines on Monday morning before turning southeast, crossing the Gascoyne coastline and continuing over land as a category two system on Monday night.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging all affected residents to stay informed and prioritise safety during this severe weather event.
