Cyclone Mitchell Set to Intensify Before Pilbara Landfall
Cyclone Mitchell, a tropical cyclone located off northern Western Australia, is forecasted to intensify into a severe category three system before making landfall along the Pilbara coast on Sunday.
As of late Saturday morning, the cyclone was positioned offshore of Port Hedland and was moving in a south-west direction towards the coast near Karratha. Authorities anticipate that the cyclone will continue on this trajectory, crossing the western Pilbara coast late Sunday afternoon.
The system is expected to strengthen into a category three cyclone as it passes just north of Karratha on Saturday night and will track close to the Pilbara coast throughout Sunday.
Warnings and Preparations for Severe Weather
The Bureau of Meteorology has indicated that very destructive wind gusts could reach speeds of up to 170 km/h on Saturday night around the towns of Karratha, Dampier, and Wickham. Onslow, located further south, is also expected to experience similar conditions during Sunday.
A watch and act warning has been issued for the area extending from Whim Creek to Mardie, including Barrow Island and the Montebello Islands. Residents in these areas have been advised to prepare to take shelter due to the potential threat to lives and property.
Residents from Pardoo Roadhouse, located east of Whim Creek, and from south of Mardie extending to Carnarvon and Pannawonica, have been urged to monitor weather conditions closely and prepare for dangerous weather.
An evacuation centre has been opened at the Karratha Leisureplex starting from midday Saturday. People seeking shelter are advised to bring essential items such as medication and identification but are requested not to bring pets.
Port Closures and Flood Risks
In response to the approaching weather system, the ports of Ashburton, Cape Preston West, Dampier, Port Hedland, and Varanus Island have been closed.
Port Hedland is forecasted to receive up to 130 mm of rain on Saturday, which raises the risk of flash flooding in the area.
Authorities have warned that the central and western Pilbara coast face a significant risk of flash flooding throughout the weekend. Additionally, the western Gascoyne region is likely to be affected by flooding by Monday.
Abnormally high tides are expected to pose a serious flood risk for the Karratha region in the early hours of Sunday and for Onslow on Sunday afternoon, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Concurrent Flooding in Northern Territory
The arrival of Cyclone Mitchell coincides with ongoing major flooding in other outback towns. In the Northern Territory, more than 400 people who were evacuated by bus from Daly River to Darwin on Wednesday, a distance of approximately 230 km, may need to remain in evacuation centres for several days as riverine flooding is not expected to peak until early next week.
Incident controller Superintendent David Moore reported that 298 evacuees, including 110 children, are currently housed at the Foskey Pavilion at the Darwin Showgrounds.
"298 evacuees, including 110 children, were housed at the Foskey Pavilion at the Darwin Showgrounds," said Incident controller Supt David Moore.
