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Cyclone warning as Seroja bears down on WA

Andi YuAAP
Craig Waters of the DFES has warned of further disruption from two tropical cyclones off WA.
Camera IconCraig Waters of the DFES has warned of further disruption from two tropical cyclones off WA. Credit: AAP

Residents in Western Australia's Mid West and Gascoyne regions are being urged to evacuate if their property is not cyclone-ready amid warnings of major destruction.

Tropical Cyclone Seroja is forecast to make landfall from Sunday afternoon and extend southwards through Monday as a category 2 cyclone, meaning wind speeds of 100km/hr near the centre with gusts up to 140km/hr.

The alert level was raised on Saturday evening for anyone between Carnarvon and Kalbarri - but not the townsites themselves - to take action and get ready to shelter from the cyclone.

Those who stay put are advised to organise an emergency kit including first aid supplies, torch, portable radio, spare batteries, food and water.

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South of Cape Cuvier down to Lancelin is the zone of concern, with Geraldton and Denham likely to be hit hardest.

The warning extends inland to the shires of Northampton, Chapman Valley, Morawa, Greater Geraldton, Mingenew, Three Springs, Perenjori and the townsites of Mullewa, Coorow and Carnamah.

"We hope we can get through the next few days without loss of life," Emergency Services Minister Reece Whitby said on Saturday afternoon.

Unlike the state's northwest, buildings in the midwest are not built for cyclones, including structures in Geraldton which has not seen cyclonic conditions for decades, he said.

Mr Whitby said that every government agency was preparing to respond to what could be a "very significant and devastating event".

People in tents, caravans or other unstable accommodation are urged seek shelter with friends or at evacuation centres.

Evacuation centres have been set up at Port Denison, Carnarvon Denham, with the emergency services requesting some Denham residents to evacuate due to storm surges and the risk of inundation.

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist James Ashley has described the pending weather event as "rare" and "dangerous", warning it will be accompanied by destructive wind and intense rainfall leading to serious flooding.

Tropical Cyclone Odette, which earlier prompted the evacuation of people on islands or at sea off parts of WA's northwest coast, will be "completely absorbed" by Seroja, Mr Ashley said.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services Deputy Commissioner Craig Waters implored WA residents in the cyclone's path to stay aware of weather updates.

"If you're not fully prepared then you need to leave now," Mr Waters said.

The damage potential to buildings could be in the thousands, he said.

Rivers likely to flood include the Wooramel, Murchison, Greenough and Avon rivers and the Yarra Yarra Lakes District.

Abnormally high tides could cause minor inundation at the coast between Coral Bay and Lancelin, the bureau said, increasing to serious flooding in the Denham and Shark Bay region and near Kalbarri.

Dangerous surf and beach erosion is expected between Denham and Geraldton.

There is a blue alert for people south of Cape Cuvier to Lancelin.

The weather system creating Tropical Cyclone Odette has weakened but a period of "strong to gale force" winds is possible during Saturday afternoon and evening.

The cyclone will continue to weaken as it moves southwest throughout the day, remaining offshore from the west coast.

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