Cyclone Narelle: Category 4 system makes landfall on WA coastline near Exmouth

Roofs have been blown off and trees are being torn from the ground as Cyclone Narelle makes landfall on the WA coastline near Exmouth.

There are reports of flooding and sheets being blown from the roof of the Exmouth evacuation centre where about 40 people are sheltering.

Shelter now alerts are in place for residents in communities across the Pilbara, as wild conditions batter the region, putting lives and homes in serious danger.

“It truly doesn’t get much worse than this,” weather Facebook page CyclonesOz said.

Severe impacts including gusts of up to 260km/h are occurring over coastal parts between North West Cape and Onslow and are expected to extend south down the coast to Coral Bay and Cape Cuvier throughout Friday morning.

The bureau at about 8.30am Friday said the cyclone would remain a category 4 for several hours to come.

“It is within the vicinity of Exmouth, is moving to the south and is passing close to the North West Cape. Severe impacts are expected from the western Pilbara coast to the northern Gascoyne coast this morning, and then extending south to Carnarvon and Denham during today.”

Highest rainfall totals were recorded overnight with 197mm falling at Barrow Island, and gusts of up to 200km/h have been recorded in Learmonth, the second-highest ever recorded.

Speaking with 6PR Friday morning, BoM’s Christie Johnson said Narelle would likely weaken slightly once it makes land.

“But because it’s coming across as such a strong system, it will remain as a tropical cyclone for quite a while,” Ms Johnson said.

“So it’s likely to be about a category three as it comes past Carnarvon, probably down to a category two by the time it’s passing Geraldton, overnight tonight, or through the early hours of tomorrow morning,” she said.

“And then it will tend to weaken as it goes further south, as it comes inside of, I guess some of the more down into the central west.

“It’ll drop to a category one, and then eventually a tropical low as it comes down through the South West land division and eventually exits off the southern coast.”

Winds of 125km/h are occurring along the west Pilbara coast between Onslow and Coral Bay, including Exmouth.

Gusts in excess of 125km/h are expected to extend south to Carnarvon and then to Denham Friday morning and afternoon, and may extend to Kalbarri and inland parts later today and possibly as far south as Morawa on Saturday morning.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has issued a “shelter indoors now” warning for Barrow Island and Montebello Islands.

“There is a threat to lives and homes. You are in danger and need to act immediately,” a statement Friday morning read.

Warnings for heavy rainfall, flash flooding and dangerous storm tides are also active for the Pilbara, Gascoyne and Central West regions.

Evacuation centres have opened at Exmouth Shire Hall, Shark Bay Recreation Centre and Canarvon PCYC.

DFES Commissioner Darren Klemm said he was “not certain” where Narelle would make landfall.

“The cyclone is travelling in a south-westerly direction but once it moves near the North West Cape and curves southwards, even a slight change in track opens up different possibilities of where it could reach landfall,” he told media on Thursday.

“It could be Exmouth, Carnarvon, Denham or even further south.

“With so much uncertainty, it’s critical that people stay up to date with the latest information and take the necessary steps to prepare for severe weather.”

Perth will experience the passing of the cyclone Saturday, bringing heavy wind and between 50mm and 100mm of rain, which could lead to flash flooding.

Emergency WA issued the following advice for West Australians residing in the affected areas:

• Shelter indoors now.
• Stay in the strongest, safest part of the building.
• Stay away from doors and windows, and keep them closed.
• Keep your emergency kit with you.