Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle has caused widespread damage and flooding along Western Australia's Pilbara coast, with wind gusts reaching up to 200 kilometres per hour. The cyclone, downgraded from category four to category three, is passing across the North West Cape between Exmouth and Coral Bay.
Authorities have issued a cyclone emergency warning for a large area from south of Mardie and Onslow through to Coral Bay, including the Barrow and Montebello Islands. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has warned of an immediate threat to lives and homes, urging people to shelter indoors.
In Exmouth, reports indicate roofs have been torn off houses and the town's evacuation centre lost part of its roof. Exmouth Shire President Matthew Niikkula said every house in town would be at least flooded with water, if not heavily damaged. Onslow resort operator Drew Norrish described the main street as a river after flooding.
Flights to the Pilbara have been cancelled, about 50 schools are closed, and national parks and major highways are shut. Oil and gas companies Chevron and Woodside have suspended production at several facilities, including the Gorgon, Wheatstone, and Karratha Gas Plant, due to the cyclone.
Cyclone Narelle is expected to make landfall near Coral Bay by lunchtime and weaken as it tracks south. The Bureau of Meteorology warned that Perth could see heavy rainfall of up to 100 millimetres in 24 hours, though it is unlikely to be directly impacted.
