Cyclone Narelle has re-intensified to a Category 4 storm with sustained winds reaching 275 km/h as it nears the Western Australian coast, prompting authorities to call for heightened preparedness. The cyclone is forecast to bring severe damage to coastal towns including Exmouth, Coral Bay, and Carnarvon, according to multiple reports including the Sydney Morning Herald.
The storm's track is highly unusual; The Guardian Australia notes that Narelle is only the third cyclone on record to make landfall in three different Australian jurisdictions—Northern Queensland, the Northern Territory, and now Western Australia—over the past 20 years. This trajectory highlights the storm’s rare behavior and the wide geographic scope of its impact.
Narelle has already caused significant disruptions, passing Carnarvon as a Category 3 storm with winds exceeding 125 km/h and delivering heavy rain to regions such as Perth, which experienced its wettest day in six months, per Sydney Morning Herald. The Guardian also reported that the cyclone poses a risk of flash flooding in Perth and surrounding areas.
The Conversation Australia adds that the cyclone has grown larger and more severe as it crosses the coast, intensifying the threat to marine life and coastal ecosystems. Following the storm’s passage, marine debris and fauna were found washed up on Ningaloo beaches, highlighting the environmental toll in addition to property damage.
Officials are closely monitoring Narelle’s movement and intensity for further changes, while emergency services continue to warn residents to prepare for sustained high winds and flood risks. The coming 24 to 48 hours will be critical in assessing the full extent of damage and planning recovery efforts along the Western Australian coast.
Cyclone Narelle
Queensland
Australia
