Residents across Western Australia's North West Cape have secured their properties and taken cover as a downgraded Tropical Cyclone Mitchell continues to unleash its fury along the coastline. The powerful weather system is delivering destructive winds reaching up to 170 kilometres per hour, torrential rainfall, and dangerous flash flooding, according to the latest updates from the Bureau of Meteorology.
Exmouth in the Direct Path
The small resort town of Exmouth, with a permanent population of fewer than 3,000 people, remains squarely in the storm's destructive path. Exmouth Shire president Matthew Niikkula described the eerie calm before the storm, noting the town's unusually tidy appearance as residents prepared for the worst.
'I haven't seen the town looking so clean and tidy for as long as I can remember,' Mr Niikkula told AAP. He emphasised that the community has not faced a cyclone of this intensity in over a decade, warning that conditions could become 'extremely frightening' for those in its wake.
Frightening Conditions Described
'It's just that darkness and the screaming 200km/h winds that sound like banshees running around outside,' he recounted, painting a vivid picture of the terrifying experience. Initially rated as a severe category three system, Cyclone Mitchell has since weakened to a category two cyclone as of Sunday, but it continues to pose a significant threat.
Senior meteorologist Angus Hines highlighted that while substantial rainfall has been recorded, the wind has been the most formidable element so far. 'We have seen a reasonable amount of rainfall - it's been the wind that has been most powerful and most impressive so far, particularly again, over those offshore islands,' Mr Hines stated.
Widespread Impact and Warnings
A Watch and Act alert remains in effect for areas south of Onslow to Coral Bay, encompassing Exmouth and the Ningaloo region. The cyclone is projected to track southeast, impacting western Gascoyne, Carnarvon, Denham, and Gascoyne Junction throughout Monday.
'We expect to see heavy rainfall,' Mr Hines cautioned. 'Storms could lead to flash flooding, could lead to rivers flooding, and will almost certainly lead to significant road closures, which may isolate communities.'
Potential Damage and Disruption
The Bureau of Meteorology warns that wind gusts exceeding 150 kilometres per hour could result in fallen trees, property damage, and extensive power outages across the northwestern part of the country. As the system moves inland, it is expected to weaken further, likely downgrading to a category one cyclone by late Monday.
'This weather system is going to be with us for a number of days as it's going to slide southwards through the interior of Western Australia as a weakening, decaying weather system between Monday and Wednesday,' Mr Hines explained, indicating that the region should brace for prolonged adverse conditions.
Residents are urged to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and heed all official warnings as Cyclone Mitchell continues its destructive passage along the coast and into the interior.
