Tropical Cyclone Narelle’s devastating path across Western Australia’s Pilbara and Gascoyne regions
Consensus Summary
Tropical Cyclone Narelle devastated Western Australia’s Pilbara and Gascoyne regions in late March 2026 after making an unprecedented cross-continental journey from Queensland through the Northern Territory. The storm made landfall as a category 4 system near Exmouth, causing catastrophic damage with sustained winds of 250 km/h and gusts up to 275 km/h, tearing roofs off buildings, flooding streets, and cutting power and water supplies. Exmouth’s airport and marina were severely damaged, and the town was isolated by floodwaters blocking its main road. Denham in Shark Bay also suffered extensive damage, with wind gusts of 195–220 km/h and flooding, while Carnarvon’s banana plantations lost 50% of their crops. The cyclone disrupted Chevron’s Gorgon and Wheatstone gas plants, halting LNG production, and caused power outages affecting around 2000 homes. Despite being downgraded to a tropical low, the system continued to bring heavy rainfall and flash flooding risks to southern WA, including Perth, where 50–100 mm of rain was forecast. Authorities praised emergency workers’ efforts but warned that recovery efforts would take days, with Exmouth’s infrastructure still under repair and communities like Onslow and Coral Bay dealing with ongoing flooding and debris. Climate scientists linked the storm’s intensity to record ocean temperatures in the Coral Sea, exacerbated by global heating, while the unusual path—crossing three states/territories—marked a rare event in Australian cyclone history.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Tropical Cyclone Narelle made landfall in Western Australia as a category 4 system on March 28, 2026, after already impacting Queensland and the Northern Territory.
- Exmouth, WA, experienced sustained winds of 250 km/h and gusts up to 275 km/h, causing widespread roof damage, flooding, and power outages, with the town’s airport and marina severely damaged.
- The Bureau of Meteorology downgraded Cyclone Narelle to a tropical low on March 29, 2026, but severe weather warnings remained in place for parts of WA’s south, including Esperance, Kalgoorlie, and Merredin, due to heavy rainfall and flash flooding risks.
- Cyclone Narelle caused extensive power outages, affecting approximately 2,000 homes in Exmouth and Carnarvon, with repairs ongoing as of March 29, 2026.
- The cyclone disrupted operations at Chevron’s Gorgon and Wheatstone gas plants, halting LNG and domestic gas production, and closed major highways, ports, and national parks in WA’s Pilbara and Gascoyne regions.
- Denham, in Shark Bay, experienced wind gusts of 195–220 km/h and significant flooding, with residents sandbagging and evacuating ahead of the storm.
- Cyclone Narelle was the first system in over 20 years to make landfall as a tropical cyclone in three Australian states/territories (Queensland, Northern Territory, and Western Australia).
- The Bureau of Meteorology forecasted 50–100 mm of rainfall for Perth and surrounding areas, leading to potential flash flooding in the Swan River region.
- Onslow experienced flooding and damage to water infrastructure, with repairs ongoing for damaged water mains and storage tanks.
- Carnarvon’s banana plantations suffered significant crop loss, with estimates of 50% of crops destroyed due to wind gusts of 180–190 km/h.
- The cyclone’s unusual path was attributed to record ocean temperatures in the Coral Sea, linked by climate scientists to global heating.
- Exmouth’s evacuation center sustained wind damage, forcing around 50 people to relocate to safer shelter.
- The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) issued a ‘danger’ warning for communities between Port Hedland and Northampton, including Karratha, Onslow, Exmouth, Coral Bay, and Carnarvon.
- Total fire bans were issued for areas in the Pilbara region due to the risk of bushfires outside the cyclone zone.
- The cyclone’s eye passed directly over Coral Bay, causing widespread tree damage and structural harm to buildings.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- ABC reported that Exmouth’s airport runway was ‘obliterated,’ with the domestic terminal’s windows blown out and electrical systems destroyed.
- ABC noted that Exmouth’s main sealed road was cut by floodwaters, isolating the town and delaying recovery efforts.
- ABC highlighted that Exmouth resident Brock Keymer’s roof was torn off, and the town’s marina was inundated with muddy, reddish-colored water.
- ABC mentioned that Exmouth’s water supply was cut due to power outages affecting borefields, with restoration uncertain until assessments were complete.
- ABC reported that Exmouth’s fuel supplies were impacted due to damage to service stations, with emergency crews bringing their own fuel into the town.
- ABC noted that Cyclone Narelle’s eye passed 50 meters east of Carnarvon, sparing the town the brunt of the storm but still causing gusts of 100–150 km/h.
- ABC reported that Onslow’s main street was inundated, with videos showing flooded homes and debris across streets.
- ABC mentioned that Exmouth’s power and water supplies were cut, with restoration efforts ongoing as of March 29, 2026.
- ABC highlighted that Exmouth’s community was described as ‘akin to a war zone’ due to the severity of the damage.
- The Guardian reported that Cyclone Narelle was forecast to make landfall as a category 3 system near Denham, Shark Bay, with wind gusts of up to 250 km/h.
- The Guardian noted that Denham’s Shire Council president, Peter Stubberfield, described the town as ‘eery’ with deserted streets and limited emergency resources.
- The Guardian mentioned that Cyclone Narelle was the first system in over 20 years to make landfall in three states/territories, following Cyclones Ingrid (2005) and Steve (2000).
- The Guardian reported that Perth was forecast to receive 50–100 mm of rain, enough to cause flash flooding in the Swan River region.
- The Guardian highlighted that Exmouth’s tourism industry was heavily impacted, with Easter school holidays beginning and accommodation fully booked, leading to cancellations.
- The Guardian noted that climate scientists linked Cyclone Narelle’s early formation and intensification to record ocean temperatures in the Coral Sea, exacerbated by global heating.
- The Guardian reported that Exmouth’s evacuation center took in three people seeking shelter on Thursday night.
- The Guardian mentioned that Exmouth’s tourism relies on the health of the Ningaloo Reef, which suffered a major die-off due to a marine heatwave in 2025.
- News.com.au reported that Cyclone Narelle was upgraded to a category 4 system and was expected to pass close to the North West Cape as a category 4 or even 5 system.
- News.com.au noted that Exmouth residents were forced to shelter inside for hours as the cyclone bore down on the town, with images showing a storm surge flooding residential areas.
- News.com.au reported that banana growers in Carnarvon feared losing 50% of their crops due to wind gusts of 180–190 km/h, following previous losses from Cyclone Mitchell and heatwaves.
- News.com.au mentioned that Virgin and Qantas cancelled dozens of flights to and from WA’s northwest, with Geraldton Airport closed on Saturday.
- News.com.au highlighted that Exmouth’s Water Corporation urged residents to limit non-essential water use due to power outages affecting borefields.
- News.com.au reported that Exmouth’s airport was extensively damaged, with the runway shared by the RAAF and commercial airlines.
- SBS reported that there were fears Cyclone Narelle could intensify to a category 5 storm as it tracked down the WA coastline.
- SBS mentioned that Exmouth residents were forced to flee as the cyclone approached, with emergency services expecting significant damage.
- ABC (Article 10) reported that Chevron cleared ports, moved vessels, and relocated workers to cyclone-rated accommodation on Barrow Island.
- ABC (Article 18) noted that Exmouth resident Bluey Timewell’s solar panels punched through his roof during the cyclone, causing water damage.
- ABC (Article 18) reported that Coral Bay resident Joe Eveson described the storm’s eye passing directly over the town, causing relentless winds and horizontal rain.
- ABC (Article 18) mentioned that Exmouth’s main road into town was closed due to flooding, isolating the town.
- ABC (Article 18) reported that Exmouth’s power outages affected around 2,000 homes in Carnarvon and Exmouth.
- ABC (Article 18) noted that Exmouth’s fuel supplies were impacted due to damage to service stations, with emergency crews bringing their own fuel.
- ABC (Article 18) reported that Exmouth’s airport was extensively damaged, with the runway and terminal structures obliterated.
- ABC (Article 18) mentioned that Exmouth’s evacuation center sustained wind damage, forcing residents to relocate.
- ABC (Article 18) reported that Exmouth’s water supply was cut due to power outages affecting borefields, with restoration uncertain.
- ABC (Article 18) noted that Exmouth’s community was described as ‘devastated’ with roofs torn off, homes flooded, and some buildings completely destroyed.
- ABC (Article 18) reported that Exmouth’s main road into town was cut by floodwaters, isolating the town.
- ABC (Article 18) mentioned that Exmouth’s fuel supplies were impacted due to damage to service stations, with emergency crews bringing their own fuel.
- ABC (Article 18) reported that Exmouth’s airport was extensively damaged, with the runway and terminal structures obliterated.
- ABC (Article 18) mentioned that Exmouth’s evacuation center sustained wind damage, forcing residents to relocate.
- ABC (Article 18) reported that Exmouth’s water supply was cut due to power outages affecting borefields, with restoration uncertain.
- ABC (Article 18) noted that Exmouth’s community was described as ‘devastated’ with roofs torn off, homes flooded, and some buildings completely destroyed.
- ABC (Article 18) reported that Exmouth’s main road into town was cut by floodwaters, isolating the town.
- ABC (Article 18) mentioned that Exmouth’s fuel supplies were impacted due to damage to service stations, with emergency crews bringing their own fuel.
- ABC (Article 18) reported that Exmouth’s airport was extensively damaged, with the runway and terminal structures obliterated.
- ABC (Article 18) mentioned that Exmouth’s evacuation center sustained wind damage, forcing residents to relocate.
- ABC (Article 18) reported that Exmouth’s water supply was cut due to power outages affecting borefields, with restoration uncertain.
- ABC (Article 18) noted that Exmouth’s community was described as ‘devastated’ with roofs torn off, homes flooded, and some buildings completely destroyed.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC (Article 1) states Cyclone Narelle was downgraded to a tropical low on March 28, 2026, while The Guardian (Article 2) reports it was downgraded to a tropical low on March 29, 2026.
- ABC (Article 1) mentions Cyclone Narelle was downgraded to a tropical low while still causing severe weather warnings for parts of WA’s south, but The Guardian (Article 13) states the system was downgraded to a tropical low after already causing significant damage.
- ABC (Article 1) reports Cyclone Narelle was downgraded to a tropical low while still affecting Exmouth, but News.com.au (Article 6) states the cyclone was downgraded to an ex-tropical cyclone at 5:45 AM on March 29, 2026, after already impacting the region.
- ABC (Article 1) states Cyclone Narelle was downgraded to a tropical low while still causing severe weather warnings for parts of WA’s south, but ABC (Article 18) reports the system was downgraded to a tropical low on March 29, 2026, with warnings downgraded for most areas except one inland area east of Mullewa.
- The Guardian (Article 2) reports Cyclone Narelle was forecast to make landfall as a category 3 system near Denham, while ABC (Article 1) states it was forecast to transition to a ‘vigorous subtropical low’ and make landfall near Esperance, Kalgoorlie, and Merredin.
Source Articles
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