Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle at 5:45pm on Friday January 11. Picture: BOM Source: PerthNow
CAPTURED ON FILM: Spectacular weather patterns are forming off WA's northern coast as Tropical Cyclone Narelle closes in. Picture: Sam Woodcock. Source: news.com.au
West Australians have witnessed a wild dust storm off the coast of Onslow as they brace themselves for tropical cyclone Narelle
FEARS about the potential impact of Cyclone Narelle on Western Australia's north are easing, although the category four storm is continuing to move closer.
The Bureau of Meteorology has now listed the storm as a category five.
According to the latest update from WA's Department of Fire and Emergency services, an all-clear was issued for Roebourne, Wickham, Point Samson, Karratha and Dampier in the state's far north.
A blue alert remains for people in or near the coastal and island communities from Mardie to Coral Bay including Onslow, Exmouth and Coral Bay.
At 5am, Cyclone Narelle was estimated to be 445 kilometres north-northwest of Exmouth and 730km north of Carnarvon, and moving southwest at 11km/h.
Gales with gusts to 100km/h could develop in coastal areas between Mardie and Exmouth later on Friday, then extend south to Coral Bay on Saturday, forecasters are warning.
Winds are likely to increase in the Exmouth area on Sunday, with damaging wind gusts to 125km/h possible if the cyclone tracks closer to the coast.
Although winds near the cyclone centre may reach 275 km/h, these winds are not expected on the coast.
Gales may extend south to Carnarvon and Shark Bay on Sunday and Monday.
Widespread heavy rainfall is not likely, however isolated heavy falls can be expected along the Pilbara coast.
Tides along the west Pilbara coast are also likely to rise above the normal high-tide mark tonight and on Saturday, with flooding of low-lying coastal areas possible.
Motorists travelling on the North West Coastal Highway are asked to avoid entering the Shark Bay area.
People travelling to Coral Bay this weekend should contact their accomodation provider before they leave to ensure their booking is still current.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle is the second cyclone of the season after Tropical Cyclone Mitchell in December but is likely to be the first to have an impact on the WA coast.
Resources industry takes precaution
Earlier, WA's multibillion-dollar resources industry already reacted, with iron ore ports at Cape Lambert and Dampier due to close, and Apache closing down the Stag and Van Gogh oil fields on Thursday.
Chevron is also getting ready to evacuate workers from Barrow Island.
Thunderstorm activity will increase about the Pilbara coast today with isolated heavy rainfall and squalls possible. This activity will extend into the western and southern Gascoyne over the weekend.
Tides along the west Pilbara coast are likely to rise above the normal high tide mark tonight, and during Saturday with flooding of low lying coastal areas. A very dangerous storm tide is possible Saturday night if the centre of the cyclone passes close to the coast, however it is now unlikely to occur.
SES and VES volunteers from Roebourne, Wickham, Karratha, Exmouth, Coral Bay and Carnarvon are on standby.
WorkSafe WA Commissioner Lex McCulloch on Thursday warned companies on land and sea that it was crucial to be prepared.
"The worst thing people can do is underestimate the power of a cyclone. Seven people died as a result of Cyclone Bobby in February 1995, and three more lives were lost during Cyclone George in March 2007,'' Mr McCulloch said on Thursday.
Airlines, including Cobham and Qantas, are scheduling flights to evacuate workers from North West drilling platforms and mining sites.
Severe Tropical Cyclone (TC) Narelle has the potential to affect main arterial roads. Motorists need to revise travel plans and be prepared for significant diversions.
If travelling to and from the Pilbara, or the northern parts of the Midwest Gascoyne region, motorists are recommended to begin your journey as soon as possible.
Motorists travelling south on the North West Coastal Highway are asked to avoid entering the Shark Bay area.
MEANWHILE, in an unrelated weather occurrence, a huge wall of reddish cloud, topped off with billowing white rose up from the ocean.
Tug boat worker Brett Martin, who captured the fearsome pictures 25 nautical miles from the town of Onslow, reported conditions were glassy and flat before the storm hit late Wednesday.
But when the wild weather arrived, the swell lifted to two metres, winds increased to 40 knots and visibility was reduced to 100 metres.
Bureau of Meteorology duty forecaster Austen Watkins told media the stunning view was created as wind and rain caused the storm to dump the sand and dust it had ingested while passing Onslow.
The Pilbara region is an important resources hub, with major iron ore and gas facilities. Cyclones are common in northern and western Australia during the warmer months of summer.
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