Destructive winds forecast as cyclone batters WA coastline

A tropical cyclone is expected to intensify into a severe category three system as it churns along the coast of Western Australia’s Pilbara region.

Tropical Cyclone Mitchell is forecast to reach category three as it tracks just north of Karratha on Saturday night, bringing with it heavy rain, severe flash flooding, and destructive winds.

Damaging gusts of up to 205 km/h are possible on the Pilbara coast around Karratha, Dampier and Wickham overnight, and in Onslow on Sunday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

“Damaging to destructive winds are expected to ramp up in the next 24 hours, many places will see their strongest winds kick in late Saturday,” said bureau forecaster Angus Hines.

“Those winds are strong enough to bring down big branches or entire trees, damage property, and lead to power outages.”

An evacuation centre has been set up at Karratha Leisureplex, and a second evacuation centre is being opened further south at the Onslow Multi Purpose Centre.

The cyclone was offshore about 210 kilometres northeast of Karratha and 140 km from Port Hedland late on Saturday afternoon.

Up to 130mm of rain is predicted for Port Hedland on Saturday, bringing with it the risk of flash floods.

Mitchell is expected to make landfall near Onslow on Sunday.

Warnings are in place for many communities including Port Hedland, Karratha, Onslow and Exmouth.

A watch and act warning covering the area from Whim Creek to Mardie could be upgraded to an emergency warning as the cyclone approaches, authorities say.

Residents are being told to to prepare to take shelter due to the potential threat to lives and homes.

Residents from Pardoo Roadhouse to the east of Whim Creek, and from south of Mardie to Carnarvon and Pannawonica, are advised to monitor conditions and prepare for dangerous weather.

The ports of Ashburton, Cape Preston West, Dampier, Port Hedland and Varanus Island are closed as the weather system approaches.

Authorities warn the central and west Pilbara coast faces the risk of flash flooding throughout the weekend, with the west Gascoyne region likely also affected by Monday.

Abnormally high tides will also present a serious flood risk for the Karratha region in the early hours of Sunday and towards Onslow Sunday afternoon, the bureau says.

The cyclone’s impending arrival comes as other outback towns are still feeling the brunt of major flooding.

In the Northern Territory, more than 400 people bussed 230km to Darwin from Daly River on Wednesday may have to wait days before they can return, as riverine flooding is not expected to peak until early next week.

With AAP.