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A warning zone has been established, stretching from Whim Creek to Northampton. This includes areas such as Karratha, Onslow, Exmouth, Coral Bay, Carnarvon, and Denham, as well as extending inland to towns like Pannawonica and Murchison.
The system, named Narelle, has already unleashed significant rainfall today. Karratha has recorded 72.2 millimeters, while Barrow Island has seen 65 millimeters of rain.
“As you can observe, it’s a larger-than-usual system,” said James Ashley from the Bureau of Meteorology, speaking to 9News. “Despite being far off the Pilbara coast, we are already experiencing gale-force winds along the shore.”
Exmouth is expected to be the first area significantly affected, with the storm’s eye anticipated to pass directly over this popular tourist destination.
Exmouth is the first in the firing line, with the eye of the storm expected to hit the tourist town.
Residents were ordered indoors earlier this afternoon as an emergency alert was issued ahead of the storm making landfall.
Narelle is due to pass by the North West Cape in the early hours of the morning but visibility is already low, as the severe system hugs the Dampier coast.
There’s a possibility Narelle could reach a category 5 – the highest and most dangerous level – in the coming hours.
“I got the feeling this is going to be bigger than anything I’ve seen, so just have to wait and see,” Exmouth resident Joe Floriani told 9News.
Those in Exmouth hit the shops today to stockpile on supplies before doors closed at midday.
Holidaymakers and residents loaded trucks and trailers with sandbags as preparations continued across the day.
Dozens of emergency services personnel were sent to the region, with members of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services saying they’re prepared for anything.
“This could be as simple as broken windows, it could be roof sheets torn off, it could be complete destruction,” Pilbara district officer David Cowdell told 9News.
While the system is yet to cross the coast, the impact is already hitting the tourist town.
Operators closed today and cancelled bookings just a week out from the Easter holidays.
“That’s just the ride that we’re on, and the place that we live in up here,” Dave Gillespie from Exmouth Escape Resort told 9News.
“It’s one of those extra burdens that we’ve got to put up with.”
The system’s threat also forced travellers to re-think their plans.
“We’re heading up to Monkey Mia – well, we were heading up to Monkey Mia,” holidaymaker Ian Roscoe told 9News.
“They’ve informed us they’ve evacuated the area, they’ve cancelled all the bookings.”
Virgin and Qantas already scrapped nearly 40 services to the north-west of the state.
WA food bowl’s third hit
Carnarvon, further south of Exmouth, is also bracing for the effects of Narelle as the Gascoyne town is forecast to be hit by a slightly downgraded but still powerful category 3 storm tomorrow afternoon or in the early evening.
The latest forecasts suggest the system will hit the town of roughly 5000 people about 5pm but given the unpredictability of the cyclone, this could change.
If hit, it will be the third natural disaster the WA food bowl will have copped this year.
Growers have contended with a heatwave, as well as Cyclone Mitchell, which decimated crops last month.
If the crops are flattened by Narelle, it will mean no bananas for 18 months. It won’t impact prices at the supermarket but it will be a devastating hit to growers.
“There’s plenty of bananas in Australia, our Queensland friends have got lot over there, so there’ll be plenty of bananas to go around,” Banana grower Les Ball told 9News.
As in Exmouth, the region was busy preparing for the worst today, stocking up on supplies and sandbags.
Evacuation centre concerns
Buildings in the Canarvon region are built to cyclone standard but locals are warned not to be complacent.
“The system is packing winds in excess of well over 200km/h at the moment and all those costal places between Exmouth and Shark Bay can expect those severe wind impacts,” Ashley said.
Authorities are warning locals and tourists alike to take safety seriously as Narelle approaches.
“With so much uncertainty, it’s critical people stay up to date with the latest information,” DFES Commander Darren Klemm said.
They’re also urging residents to act now.
“Look around your home and ensure there’s no loose objects that can become a hazard,” Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia advised.
After Carnarvon, Narelle is expected to track toward Kalbarri on Saturday, as a category 2 storm.
But the concern is there are no cyclone-rated evacuation centres between the tourist town and Geraldton.
It was a recommendation made after Cyclone Seroja smashed the region five years ago as a category 3.
“The building requirements for that area between Geraldton and Kalbarri don’t require that evacuation centres, or in fact any buildings, are built to be cyclone rated,” Klemm said.
Perth set for a soaking
Regardless of where and how the storm tracks, Perth is set for two days of heavy rain.
A total of more than 100 millimetres could fall as the effects of Narelle are felt in the capital city.
Heavy rainfall and gale force winds are forecast to start impacting the city as early as tomorrow.
Many events across Perth, including weddings, have been cancelled or postponed as the city expects a storm surge that will deliver up to 45 millimetres on Friday and a further 50 millimetres on Saturday.
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