Currently stationed approximately 145 kilometers north of Port Hedland, Cyclone Mitchell looms as a category 2 storm, poised to intensify as it skirts north of Karratha during the night.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued warnings for significant rainfall and the possibility of flash flooding later today, with wind gusts already reaching speeds of up to 130 km/h.

Mitchell is predicted to maintain a southerly course towards the Pilbara coastline at a steady pace of 16 km/h. It is anticipated to linger in the vicinity until making landfall by Monday.

Forecasters predict heavy rain and the risk of flash floods, which may also impact the western Gascoyne region. The storm’s powerful winds are expected to affect areas including Onslow and potentially Exmouth.

Furthermore, unusually high tides are projected to exacerbate flooding conditions, threatening the Karratha region early tomorrow morning before moving to the Onslow region by the afternoon.

Abnormally high tides are also feared to cause serious flooding in the Karratha region early tomorrow morning and then in the Onslow region by the afternoon.

Mitchell is forecast to downgrade to a category 2 storm by Monday night and then a category 1 by Tuesday. 

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