Cyclone Mitchell intensifies as towns in north-west WA brace for winds, flooding

Cyclone Mitchell, offshore of Port Hedland, was moving south-west towards the coast off Karratha late Saturday morning and is expected to intensify into a severe category three system. Authorities expect it to continue churning south-west and cross the western Pilbara coast late Sunday afternoon, passing just north of Karratha on Saturday night and tracking close to the Pilbara coast on Sunday.

Very destructive wind gusts could reach 170km/h on Saturday night around Karratha, Dampier and Wickham, with Onslow further south at risk on Sunday. A watch-and-act warning covered Whim Creek to Mardie, including Barrow Island and the Montebello Islands, with residents told to prepare to take shelter because of 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, were advised to monitor conditions and prepare for dangerous weather.

Australia, North-west Western Australia (Pilbara)