Residents of Karratha are being urged to brace themselves for incredibly strong winds, potentially reaching up to 200 kilometers per hour, as Tropical Cyclone Mitchell continues to gain strength. This cyclone poses a serious threat to Karratha and nearby regions within the Pilbara area, prompting local authorities to recommend that individuals seek shelter urgently due to the possibility of the storm intensifying further.
Currently, the cyclone is making its way south-west along the Pilbara coastline and is projected to escalate to a category three cyclone by Saturday night. An Emergency Warning was issued for Karratha and surrounding communities situated between Mardie and Whim Creek on Saturday afternoon. This warning mandates that residents remain indoors until the situation improves and the alert is rescinded.
The Bureau of Meteorology has stated that gusts of wind could reach a staggering 220 kilometers per hour in coastal locations such as Karratha, Dampier, and Wickham. Duty forecaster Joey Rawson highlighted the escalating nature of the winds, stating, "As the system approaches, winds are strengthening. There’s still a slight chance it may escalate to a category four cyclone. The system is proving to be more intense than we initially anticipated."
This sentiment was echoed by Todd Pender, the incident controller for WA's Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), who is also advising residents to strictly follow safety warnings. "We’ve been monitoring the cyclone throughout the day; the winds are indeed intensifying," he mentioned. He added an important caution: "It’s not only the wind that poses a risk but also the debris that can be picked up. A piece of tin or a fallen branch could lead to serious injuries."
To compound the situation, the North West Coastal Highway has been closed between Burkett Drive and the Great Northern Highway intersection, isolating the communities of Onslow and Karratha from the rest of Western Australia.
In preparation for the impending severe weather, residents of Karratha have been proactive. Many spent their morning securing their properties by dismantling shade sails, filling sandbags, and ensuring boats are tied down. Local resident Jessica McNally emphasized, "It is vital to prepare the house before the winds and rain begin. We’re gathering sandbags and tarps for the doors... making sure we're safe and secure, and I've got my pets inside tonight. Supporting one another is crucial during these challenging times."
Fellow residents and boat owners, James Williams and Nathan Bird, relocated their vessels to a local gym that serves as a safe storage facility. Williams shared, "We have a friend currently traveling in Ecuador, so we took his boat to the gym before helping our other friends with their caravans. We’re all set and ready to face whatever comes our way... we’ll manage."
The approaching cyclone is also significantly impacting the mining and energy sectors in the Pilbara. With flights to and from Karratha canceled, many fly-in fly-out workers, including electrician Fred Hearn, are forced to find alternative travel plans. "There’s not much that can be done at this point," he noted. "So there’s no sense in stressing about it; you will eventually find your way home."
Energy giant Chevron has made the decision to evacuate all non-essential personnel from its Gorgon and Wheatstone operations at Barrow Island and Onslow. A spokesperson confirmed, "Only essential staff remain at our facilities, and they are sheltering in place following established safety protocols."
Additionally, Citic Pacific has withdrawn staff from its Sino iron ore operations, which are located approximately 100 kilometers south of Karratha. BCI Minerals has also reported that their employees at the salt mine on Mardie Station have vacated the area in anticipation of the cyclone.
