Residents across Karratha and surrounding parts of the Pilbara have been urged to take shelter, with Tropical Cyclone Mitchell a chance to severely intensify as it approaches the coast.
The system is moving south-west along the Pilbara coast, and is expected to intensify to category three strength over the course of Saturday night.
A cyclone Emergency Warning was issued for Karratha and other communities between Mardie and Whim Creek midway through Saturday afternoon.
In means residents are now required to shelter indoors until the alert is lifted.
Authorities have deployed additional personnel to the region to deal with the cyclone’s aftermath. (ABC News: Kelsey Reid)
The Bureau of Meteorology said winds of up to 220 kilometres per hour could hit coastal areas around Karratha, Dampier and WickhamÂ
“Those winds are strengthening as the system approaches,” duty forecaster Joey Rawson said.
“There’s still a slight chance it may jump to a category four system.
“The system is being more intense than we first thought.”
That was echoed by WA’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) who urged residents to adhere to the warnings.
Karratha and nearby Dampier (pictured) are likely to be hit by destructive winds as the cyclone passes to the north overnight. (ABC News: Kelsey Reid)
“We’ve been tracking it throughout the course of the day; the winds are intensifying,” DFES incident controller Todd Pender said.
“It’s not the wind so much as the debris that gets picked up.
“You get hit by a piece of tin or a branch, there is the potential for serious injury.”
Cloud drifts over Karratha ahead of the close passage of Tropical Cyclone Mitchell on Saturday. (ABC News: Kelsey Reid)
The North West Coastal Highway has been closed between Burkett Drive and the Great Northern Highway intersection, leaving the population centres of Onslow and Karratha cut off from the rest of the state.
Ready for wild weather
Karratha residents spent the morning taking down shade sails, filling sandbags and tying down boats.
Jessica McNally said it was “vital” to get the house prepared before the wind and rain started to hit town.
“Getting sandbags and tarps for the doors … making sure we’re safe and secure, and that I’ve got my animals inside tonight,” she said.
“Looking after each other is vital during a time like this.”
James Williams and Nathan Bird say they are well prepared and looking after friends in town. (ABC News: Kelsey Reid)
Boaties in the region, James Williams and Nathan Bird, moved their boats to safety at a local gym, which is also a safe storage location, before helping out their mates.
“We’ve got a mate [travelling] in Ecuador, we took his boat out to the gym … then grabbed our mate’s caravan,” Mr Williams said.
“We’re all prepped up ready to go … she’ll be right.”Industry impacts
The passage of the cyclone is also having a significant impact on the Pilbara’s mining and energy sectors.
With flights in and out of Karratha cancelled, fly-in fly-out workers like electrician Fred Hearn are having to make alternative arrangements.
Fred Hearn and four other FIFO electricians have had their flights cancelled due to the cyclone. (ABC News: Kelsey Reid)
“You can’t really do too much,” he said.
“So there’s no point getting all hung up about it; you’ll get home eventually.”
Energy giant Chevron has evacuated all non-essential personnel from its Gorgon and Wheatstone operations at Barrow Island and Onslow.
“Only essential personnel remain in place at our facilities,” a spokesperson said.
“They are sheltering in place in accordance with established safety procedures.”
Citic Pacific has evacuated staff from its Sino iron ore operations, around 100km south of Karratha.
BCI Minerals confirmed staff at its salt mine on Mardie Station had also left ahead of the cyclone.