Tropical Cyclone Narelle expected to cross WA coast on Saturday
Western Australia’s northern residents are scrambling to close the hatches as resurgent Tropical Cyclone Narelle gains strength over the ocean before it is forecast to pass the state’s Mid-West coast as a “severe” system at the weekend.
Overnight, Narelle moved from the western Kimberley coast towards the Indian Ocean and began to regain strength before continuing its path southwards.
As of 11am Western Australian time on Wednesday, Narelle has become a category 2 system and is slowly moving towards the Pilbara coast, where communities are expected to feel the effects of the weather system over the next 48 hours.
The Pilbara, which is prone to cyclones and has homes built to withstand severe systems, is currently in the observation zone.
In preparation, the Pilbara Port Authority began clearing ports at Ashburton, Cape Preston West, Dampier and Varanus Island, and as of Wednesday there were no major disruptions to entry and exit operations. Some mining sites in the monitoring area will put their usual safety protocols in place as the system moves in the evening.
Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Angus Hines said Narelle’s strength was likely to continue to increase before crossing the coast over the weekend.
“It will continue to strengthen into a severe category 3 tropical cyclone on Thursday morning, but that’s not the end of it,” he said.
“Narelle [is] It’s really likely to strengthen over the next few days and could reach category 4 (that’s a really strong, really significant weather system) by the end of Thursday.
“The main risk over the next few days will be damaging destructive winds, particularly along this coastline of Karratha and Coral Bay…later this week we could see winds in excess of 140km/h.”
Hines said the hurricane will likely begin shifting southward on Friday, and the Gascoyne coast will feel its effects early in the weekend.
“It is very likely that it will make the coastal crossing very early on Saturday morning,” he said.
“Based on current forecasts, this coastal passage is likely to occur along the Gascoyne coast between Carnarvon and Kalbarri, possibly around Shark Bay and the Denham area as a severe category 3 tropical cyclone.
“Beyond this, Narelle will continue to head south… following inland, which will take her east of Perth, towards the Wheatbelt, the Great South and the Esperance coastline.
“This could occur as a category 1 tropical cyclone, but perhaps would have already weakened to tropical lows by the time it reaches Perth.”
Major rain and wind are expected to affect Perth on Friday and throughout the weekend.
Residents as far south as Kalbarri and Geraldton have been warned to be prepared for the possibility of a cyclone passing close to both towns.
Buildings in these towns are not built to withstand cyclones in the same way as towns in WA’s Kimberley and Pilbara, prompting authorities to issue an early warning to residents to be extra careful in the coming days.
A Kalbarri State Emergency Service spokesman said it was important for residents to be prepared.
“We are taking a cautious approach as these systems can change quite quickly,” he said.
“If you can inform your friends, family and neighbors about this it would be very helpful; make sure you have a plan if necessary, please update the tornado warning system.
“There is still uncertainty about what will happen, but we appreciate your help to be prepared.
“We will have clearer information in the coming days.”
Although the town does not have a dedicated evacuation center, sandbags will be available in the emergency area on Thursdays and Fridays this week.
Shire of Northampton acting chief executive Brian Anderson said his council was closely monitoring the forecast for the coming days.
“Hurricanes can be hard to predict [and] There is a high level of uncertainty about its intensity, likely path and where it will impact. “The Shire will provide updates as they become available,” he said.
Steve Eley, who runs Kalbarri Sports and Dive, said the town had come together to help each other prepare.
“We’re doing well; we’re not stupid and we’re not complacent,” he said.
“We have a really good relationship with our local SES; he actually owns a local store right next door and can relay information for us in real time.
“He not only helps us protect our businesses.
“The other nice thing about being here in Kalbarri is that a lot of crews are stepping in and trying to clean up their places by helping the older guys, the older population, and we can get in early.
“Having gone through Cyclone Seroja five years ago, this is nothing but a first step on these issues.”
Cyclone Seroja destroyed much of Kalbarri city center when it occurred in 2021, causing a damage bill of $400 million for the small population.
Cyclone Narelle marks the first time since 2005 that a cyclone has affected three tropical states and territories – NT, Queensland and WA – at once, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
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