Western Australia has recently experienced significant weather events from multiple tropical cyclones across different seasons. In late January, Tropical Cyclone Luana made landfall on the Kimberley coast, bringing heavy rainfall, potential flooding, and property damage. Separately, Tropical Cyclone Mitchell impacted the Pilbara and Gascoyne regions, causing strong winds, high tides, and widespread disruptions. Both events prompted extensive warnings, evacuation efforts, and emergency responses from state services.
Tropical Cyclone Luana: Kimberley Coast Impact (Late January)
Formation and Initial Warnings
A tropical low system intensified off Western Australia's Kimberley coast in late January. On a Friday, it was situated northwest of the Kimberley coast, projected to intensify as it moved southeasterly. By 11 am that Friday, the system had reached wind speeds exceeding 65 km/hr, with gusts up to 95 km/hr.
Urgent weather warnings were issued for residents in WA's north, with cyclone advice given to those between Broome and Kuri Bay. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) advised people in the Dampier Peninsula unprepared for the cyclone to evacuate immediately, and urged reconsideration of long weekend travel plans due to expected road closures.
Destructive wind gusts, potentially reaching 130 km/hr, were anticipated for coastal parts between Cockatoo Island and Beagle Bay, with damaging gusts of up to 120 km/hr possible elsewhere.
Heavy rainfall and potential flash flooding were warned for the northwest Kimberley district, starting Friday night. A dangerous storm tide in King Sound, and rising tides in Cape Leveque and Cockatoo Island, increased the risk of coastal flooding.
An evacuation centre became operational at Broome Recreation and Aquatic Centre, with a second planned to open in Derby.
Landfall and Immediate Effects
The system, named Tropical Cyclone Luana, made landfall as a Category Two cyclone on a Saturday afternoon. It crossed the Dampier Peninsula north of Broome around 2:00 PM. Wind gusts up to 125 km/h were recorded at the edge of the system, including a gust of 91 km/h at Koolan Island.
An emergency warning was in effect for remote communities along the Dampier Peninsula. Flood warnings were issued, with Luana projected to deliver 150–200 mm of rain across the West Kimberley area over the subsequent 24–48 hours.
The cyclone directed water down King Sound towards Derby, where a king tide, expected around 5:30 PM, could reach up to 11 meters, increasing the likelihood of coastal inundation.
Over 70 mm of rain had already fallen in parts of the Dampier Peninsula. Communities on the peninsula were sheltering in place, while residents in Derby undertook final preparations. The Shire of Derby-West Kimberley opened an evacuation centre and distributed sandbags.
Post-Landfall and Damage Assessment
Luana subsequently weakened to a Category One cyclone as it moved south-east overnight and was expected to further weaken below tropical cyclone strength as it tracked inland. Heavy rainfall persisted in Derby and the southern Dampier Peninsula. Power was restored in Derby by 3:30 AM after over 350 Horizon customers experienced outages.
Road closures were implemented for Cape Leveque Road from McGuigan Road and Gibb River Road between Kimbolton Road and Pentecost River. Residents on the western Dampier Peninsula reported strong winds.
The Mercedes Cove Exclusive Retreat, an Aboriginal-owned business located approximately 180km north of Broome, sustained significant damage to the owners' family home. Its roof was removed, leading to ceiling collapse and water damage in the kitchen and living areas. The roof had recently undergone repairs following ex-Tropical Cyclone Hayley earlier that month. The tourist accommodation at Mercedes Cove was not affected.
DFES Kimberley Superintendent Leon Gardiner confirmed awareness of structural damage at Mercedes Cove but stated that emergency assistance had not been formally requested by the property at that time. The primary cyclone damage was concentrated in Derby, with 12 requests for assistance on Sunday, mainly concerning fallen trees blocking or leaning on homes. Derby and Broome State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers, along with 13 minimum security prisoners from West Kimberley Regional Prison, engaged in cleanup efforts.
Ongoing Weather and Context
As an ex-Tropical Cyclone, Luana continued moving south through the Kimberley, Pilbara, and southern interior over several days, bringing heavy rainfall and potential flooding. The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) issued warnings for heavy rainfall and damaging wind gusts up to 90km/h in the North Interior, anticipating flash flooding in various parts of the Kimberley, Pilbara, Midwest Gascoyne, Goldfields Midlands, and Eucla regions. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 70mm and 120mm were anticipated.
This marked the third cyclone to impact the Kimberley coast since November, with Cyclone Hayley also affecting the Dampier Peninsula weeks prior.
Emergency WA advised residents to prepare supplies for five to seven days, secure documents, and ensure vehicle fuel tanks were full.
Tropical Cyclone Mitchell: Pilbara and Gascoyne Impact (2025-26 Season)
Formation and Initial Forecasts
In the 2025-26 cyclone season, a tropical low intensifying over the Kimberley region was projected to move offshore on a Friday and develop into a cyclone. Its forecasted path included tracking parallel to the Pilbara coast before potentially turning towards the coast south of Exmouth.
Widespread moderate to heavy rainfall, possibly leading to flash flooding, was anticipated from late Friday, with strongest wind gusts up to 120km/h expected between Onslow and Port Hedland on Saturday.
Intensification and Warning Zones
Named Tropical Cyclone Mitchell, the system was forecast to intensify to a Category 3 storm before making landfall in Western Australia's Pilbara region. At one point, it was a Category 2 storm, located approximately 140km north of Port Hedland, and projected to intensify as it passed north of Karratha overnight. BoM anticipated heavy rainfall and flash flooding, with wind gusts of up to 130km/h recorded.
Residents in the area from De Grey to Ningaloo, including Port Hedland, Karratha, Onslow, Exmouth, Pilbara, and Pannawonica, were placed under a warning. DFES issued a watch and act warning for Whim Creek to Mardie, Barrow Island, and Montebello Islands, advising residents to prepare for shelter. An evacuation center was opened at the Karratha Leisureplex.
Abnormally high tides were expected to cause significant flooding in the Karratha region, followed by the Onslow region. Very destructive winds, potentially reaching 170km/h, were projected for Onslow and Exmouth.
DFES urged people in the Onslow to Port Hedland area to prepare immediately by securing boats, caravans, outdoor furniture, and completing emergency kits with provisions for five to seven days.
Landfall and Consequences
Tropical Cyclone Mitchell, a Category One system, impacted the West Australian coastline, bringing strong winds, heavy rainfall, and abnormally high tides. BoM reported the cyclone weakening as it moved south off the Gascoyne coast, anticipated to make landfall and then move inland to the southeast, likely downgrading to a low-pressure system by Tuesday.
Emergency WA issued a cyclone watch and act alert for areas north of Ningaloo to Carnarvon, including Coral Bay, urging residents to shelter.
A cyclone emergency warning remained for the Ningaloo Coast south to the Wooramel Roadhouse, encompassing Coral Bay and Carnarvon, and extending inland through parts of the western Pilbara and western Gascoyne. The warning for Exmouth was downgraded to a watch and act.
Wind gusts of 169 km/h were recorded at Legendre Island and 148 km/h at Barrow Island. On the mainland, gusts reached 120 km/h at Onslow, 100 km/h at Karratha, and 96 km/h at Mardie, leading to fallen trees. Karratha recorded 124mm of rain over the weekend, raising concerns for ongoing flooding.
Several Pilbara Ports, including Ashburton, Cape Preston West, Dampier, and Varanus Island, were closed. Port Hedland operations subsequently resumed. Seventeen schools were closed, and evacuation centers were established in locations such as Share Bay Recreation Centre, Exmouth Shire Hall, Onslow Multi Purpose Centre, and Carnarvon PCYC. Horizon Power reported 1675 customers in Exmouth without power, with restoration estimated by Monday 4pm.
Subsequent Weakening and Cleanup
State Emergency Services received at least seven calls for assistance, primarily from Karratha, related to damaged trees and roof damage. DFES advised residents against leaving their homes and to shelter in the safest part of their buildings. The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia reported no major damage to mining operations.
Mitchell was forecast to downgrade to a Category 2 storm by Monday night and a Category 1 by Tuesday, with remnants expected to continue affecting central Western Australia. Mitchell was the ninth tropical cyclone of the 2025-26 season.
If it crossed the coast, it would mark the fifth landfalling cyclone for Australia that year, which would be the highest number in eight years.
Severe weather warnings for heavy rainfall and damaging winds were in effect for early Tuesday morning in areas including Geraldton, Kalbarri, Mount Magnet, Dalwallinu, Eneabba, and Northampton.