Don’t panic: Meteorologists urge Mid West locals to remain calm as ex-tropical cyclone Narelle swirls closer

Ex-tropical cyclone Narelle could be on track to cross the Mid West and Gascoyne coast at the end of this week, with locals being urged to remain calm yet vigilant. At the time of reporting, the exact location of where the cyclone was likely to cross the Mid West coastline was still uncertain. Jessica Lingard, Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist, said the cyclone would move along the Pilbara coast before moving south, most likely taking a path across the coastline. “How far south it gets before it crosses the coastline is the big question mark,” she said. “All communities across the Pilbara coast down to Exmouth, and then the west coast as far south as the metro area should be on high alert for deteriorating conditions over the coming days. “There is a potential crossing anywhere along the west coast at this stage, between Exmouth and Jurien Bay, and we’re not quite sure what intensity that system would be at as it crosses the coast.” Ex-tropical cyclone Narelle was forecast by BoM to be making its way down to the Mid West after moving offshore from Broome on Tuesday, March 24. The ex-tropical cyclone was forecast to quickly strengthen back to a cyclone whilst offshore from northern WA. Narelle was looking likely to peak to an intensity of a category four on Thursday, after reconnecting with the “engine room” in the Indian Ocean on Tuesday. The Pilbara coast was likely to feel the impacts of this; however, the severity was likely to decrease as it moved south away from tropical waters. On Monday night, March 23, Ms Lingard said the northern Kimberley had up to 160mm of rain. With whispers about the potential incoming cyclone ramping up this weekend, Ms Lingard warned Mid West residents to not panic and remain up to date on its movements. Ms Lingard said all communities along the western coastline should be preparing for damaging wind gusts and increased heavy rainfall from Thursday to Sunday, which is when BoM was expecting the coastal crossing. “Doing things like cleaning your gutters in preparation for the heavy rainfall, making sure things like the trampoline is secured, and cleaning up around the garden,” she said. Ms Lingard added she understood the incoming weather could cause severe anxiety across Mid West residents as it got closer to the five-year anniversary of cyclone Seroja. “There is absolutely going to be anxiety within the community. My advice to these residents is to keep an eye on the forecast,” she said. “I am not going to promise you that it won’t hit. I’m also not going to promise you that it’s going to be a really strong hit. It could be anywhere in between, and at the moment, we unfortunately just don’t know. “Preparing yourself for the worst and hoping for the best is going to be our best strategy as we move towards the weekend.” This weather update was subject to change from the time of reporting.