Residents in Western Australia’s Gascoyne region remain indoors as Tropical Cyclone Mitchell skirts the coast of Carnarvon, while many welcome the much‑needed rain.
Storm track and official warnings
The category one system has been hugging the Pilbara coastline and travelling south since Friday. It is moving parallel to shore, tracking south of Carnarvon and is expected to make landfall near Shark Bay overnight or early Tuesday morning.
Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Caroline Crowe said rain and winds have started to pick up across the world‑heritage listed area, about 800 km north of Perth.
“The Shark Bay area will see the worst conditions over the next three to six hours,” Crowe warned.
As the system moves southwards and crosses the coast, it will begin to weaken over land, though damaging gusts of up to 100 km/h could still occur.
Potential impacts
BoM has warned of abnormally high tides in the southern parts of Shark Bay and possible flash flooding in surrounding areas.
Heavy rainfall could trigger flash flooding in parts of the Gascoyne, Central West and Central Wheatbelt on Tuesday.
Potentially affected towns include Geraldton, Kalbarri, Merredin, Moora, Mount Magnet, and Dalwallinu.
The Bureau’s map shows the system expected to cross the coast on Monday night or early Tuesday morning.
Community response and services
An evacuation centre remains open at the Shark Bay Recreation Centre, while the Carnarvon PCYC is now closed.
Several schools in Shark Bay will stay closed on Tuesday, although many schools in the Pilbara are set to reopen.
As of 10 pm AWST on Monday, DFES Incident Controller Will Blackshaw reported no major damage in Carnarvon or Coral Bay.
He noted that rainfall in Shark Bay has exceeded 80 mm since 9 am Monday, with reports of about 200 mm in Monkey Mia and 80 mm in Denham.
Emergency crews will continue to monitor for water ingress and are preparing resources for any further needs.
Local reactions
ABC reporter and Carnarvon resident Rachel Hagan said the weather was calm until heavy rain and wind began early afternoon, describing “bangs” outside that made her jump.
She observed that residents seem “easygoing” despite the storm’s approach.
Local growers, still recovering from a recent heatwave, welcomed the rain but hoped the wind would not cause significant damage. (See the earlier heatwave impact here.)
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Cyclone Mitchell expected to make landfall?
BoM forecaster Caroline Crowe said the system was expected to make landfall near Shark Bay overnight or early on Tuesday morning.
What wind speeds are being forecast?
Peak gusts could reach up to 100 km/h as the cyclone moves southwards and begins to weaken over land.
Which communities have evacuation centres open?
An evacuation centre is open at the Shark Bay Recreation Centre, while the Carnarvon PCYC has been closed.
How might this rain affect the region’s ongoing drought concerns?