Too late to evacuate as Cyclone Mitchell threatens lives

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Lives and property are at risk as Cyclone Mitchell moves south along the Western Australian coast, with authorities warning some communities it is now too dangerous to leave.

The Category 2 system was near Exmouth early this morning and is expected to cross the coast near Coral Bay later today or this evening. Emergency services have issued shelter-in-place orders for areas from Coral Bay to Minilya Roadhouse, north of Ningaloo, and from Minilya to north of Wooramel Roadhouse, including Carnarvon.

Officials warn the cyclone may cause dangerous storm surge, abnormally high tides and flooding, urging residents to stay indoors and avoid floodwaters.

Early today, the storm had sustained winds close to 100km/h, with gusts up to 140km/h. Heavy rain and strong winds are affecting the coastline from Exmouth to south of Denham, with rainfall of 100mm to 200mm possible within 24 hours.

While the system is expected to weaken after making landfall and lose cyclone status by tomorrow, severe weather impacts are likely to continue.

Power outages have already affected hundreds of homes and businesses, with repair crews unable to respond due to unsafe conditions. Parts of the Pilbara recorded damaging winds and heavy rain overnight, and several mine sites and campsites have been evacuated as a precaution.

The North West Coastal Highway has been closed north of Carnarvon, cutting access to towns including Exmouth, Coral Bay and Onslow.

Western Australia’s Premier has urged residents to remain calm, prepare where possible and allow the cyclone to pass before damage assessments begin.

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