Western Australia Braces for Flooding After Ex-Cyclone Mitchell

Darwin, 10 February: 

An ex-tropical cyclone, Mitchell, has crossed the coast of Western Australia overnight as a tropical low, with severe weather warnings still in place for several regions.

The former Category 2 system weakened significantly and lost its cyclone status before making landfall around 1am, approximately 15 kilometres south of the Overlander Roadhouse near Shark Bay.

According to Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Sarah Scully, the system brought heavy rainfall and damaging winds to parts of Western Australia prior to crossing the coast. Wind gusts reached up to 107 kilometres per hour in Carnarvon and 85 kilometres per hour in Shark Bay on Monday.

Rainfall totals have been substantial, with 132 millimetres recorded at Gascoyne Junction and 104 millimetres at Shark Bay since 9am yesterday. The Kimberley region also experienced significant rainfall, including 122 millimetres at Mount Winifred.

More heavy rain and strong winds are expected today, with severe weather warnings issued for parts of the Mid West, Central Wheatbelt and Gascoyne districts. Forecasts indicate 50 to 80 millimetres of rain could fall within 24 hours, with isolated totals reaching up to 120 millimetres.

Wind gusts may reach up to 90 kilometres per hour this morning before easing later in the day, Ms Scully said.

The Bureau of Meteorology has warned of the risk of flash flooding and is urging the public to avoid driving through floodwaters.