Cyclone Narelle Downgraded After Devastating Landfall but Severe Warnings Remain as Exmouth Cut Off
Category 3 system made landfall Friday leaving trail of extensive damage across Pilbara and North West Cape with flash flooding threatening Perth
The coastal town of Exmouth has been cut off by both land and air after Narelle caused what authorities described as "extensive" damage across the Pilbara and North West Cape regions. The system continues to track south on Saturday, with some areas expected to cop between 30 and 50 millimetres of rain within six hours.
Flash flooding now threatens the wheatbelt region and Perth as the weather system moves south-east from Geraldton. Residents along the state's coastline are preparing to assess the full trail of damage, with emergency services warning that recovery efforts will take considerable time.
The cyclone's rare cross-continent journey had been tracked for days, with the system intensifying rapidly before landfall.
Analysis
Why This Matters
Narelle is a significant weather event for Western Australia, with Exmouth completely isolated and flash flood risks extending to Perth. The damage assessment is only beginning and the system still poses threats as it moves inland.
Background
Narelle was tracked as it intensified off the WA coast before making landfall as a category 3 severe tropical cyclone on Friday. It follows an unusual autumn storm season that has already delivered early snow and power outages to eastern Australia.
What to Watch
The flash flood threat to Perth and the wheatbelt, the extent of damage in Exmouth once access is restored, and whether insurance costs compound the economic pressure Australians are already facing from the fuel crisis.
Sources
- Exmouth cut off by land and air after Cyclone Narelle causes extensive damage
- Cyclone Narelle downgraded to tropical low but severe weather warnings remain for storm-ravaged WA
- Rising floodwater engulfs WA station after category four cyclone
- Devastating scenes of destruction along WA coastline
- Stark warning on floodwaters caused by Cyclone Narelle