<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/tropical-cyclone-narelle-to-cross-western-australia-coast-massive-rain-dump-on-perth/42610621-ed26-47bb-a0d6-44c4c1e527e5" rel="" target="" title="Tropical Cyclone Narelle"><span>Tropical Cyclone Narelle</span></a><span> has strengthened to a category 4 storm as it edges closer to an 800-kilometre stretch of the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/western-australia" rel="" target="" title="West Australian"><span>West Australian</span></a><span> coastline.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/cyclone-narelle-could-reach-perth-in-rare-southward-charge/59051576-0357-44cb-b89e-88270336f3c1" rel="" target="" title="historic system"><span>historic system</span></a><span> - which has </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/tropical-cyclone-narelle-live-updates-tracker-queensland-latest-news-headlines/863bc4e8-cea0-4cc6-b19d-be2cbab60902" rel="" target="" title="already hit Queensland"><span>already hit Queensland</span></a><span> and the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/tropical-cyclone-narelle-northern-territory-western-australia-dumps-heavy-rain-on-march-across-top-end/8e9c8d6c-37fa-493f-8de4-79d3a07bb3ba" rel="" target="" title="Northern Territory"><span>Northern Territory</span></a><span> before sweeping out to sea and re-intensifying - had sustained winds near the centre of 175km/h tonight, with wind gusts of up to 250km/h.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/weather-news" rel="" target="" title="Bureau of Meteorology warned the severe storm"><span>Bureau of Meteorology warned the severe storm</span></a><span> was "impacting the west Pilbara coast with severe impacts expected along the Gascoyne coast later tonight".</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/fuel-crisis-holidays-caravan-holidaymakers-cancel-easter-roadtrips-as-fuel-prices-sting/da2aaf5f-59cd-4f26-9853-02ad9bec0b91"><strong><span>Easter road trips canned, cafes weigh surcharge as fuel prices sting</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A warning zone extends from Whim Creek to Northampton, including Karratha, Onslow, Exmouth, Coral Bay, Carnarvon and Denham, and extending inland to Pannawonica and Murchison.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Narelle has already dumped a deluge today, with 72.2 millimetres recorded at Karratha and 65 millimetres at Barrow Island.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's a larger than normal system as you can see," the bureau's James Ashley told 9News.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/tropical-cyclone-narelle-severe-storm-batters-western-australia-coastline/5f398dd7-33fb-4e2e-8226-79371f263552" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's a long way off the Pilbara coast, yet we're seeing gale-force winds along the coastline."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Exmouth is the first in the firing line, with the eye of the storm expected to hit the tourist town.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Residents were ordered indoors earlier this afternoon as an emergency alert was issued ahead of the storm making landfall.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Narelle is due to pass by the North West Cape in the early hours of the morning but visibility is already low, as the severe system hugs the Dampier coast.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>There's a possibility Narelle could reach a category 5 - the highest and most dangerous level - in the coming hours.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I got the feeling this is going to be bigger than anything I've seen, so just have to wait and see," Exmouth resident Joe Floriani told 9News.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Those in Exmouth hit the shops today to stockpile on supplies before doors closed at midday.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Holidaymakers and residents loaded trucks and trailers with sandbags as preparations continued across the day.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Dozens of emergency services personnel were sent to the region, with members of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services saying they're prepared for anything.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This could be as simple as broken windows, it could be roof sheets torn off, it could be complete destruction," Pilbara district officer David Cowdell told 9News.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>While the system is yet to cross the coast, the impact is already hitting the tourist town.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Operators closed today and cancelled bookings just a week out from the Easter holidays.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"That's just the ride that we're on, and the place that we live in up here," Dave Gillespie from Exmouth Escape Resort told 9News.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's one of those extra burdens that we've got to put up with."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The system's threat also forced travellers to re-think their plans.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We're heading up to Monkey Mia - well, we were heading up to Monkey Mia," holidaymaker Ian Roscoe told 9News.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"They've informed us they've evacuated the area, they've cancelled all the bookings."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Virgin and Qantas already scrapped nearly 40 services to the north-west of the state.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><span>WA food bowl's third hit</span></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Carnarvon, further south of Exmouth, is also bracing for the effects of Narelle as the Gascoyne town is forecast to be hit by a slightly downgraded but still powerful category 3 storm tomorrow afternoon or in the early evening.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The latest forecasts suggest the system will hit the town of roughly 5000 people about 5pm but given the unpredictability of the cyclone, this could change.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>If hit, it will be the third natural disaster the WA food bowl will have copped this year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Growers have contended with a heatwave, as well as Cyclone Mitchell, which decimated crops last month.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>If the crops are flattened by Narelle, it will mean no bananas for 18 months. It won't impact prices at the supermarket but it will be a devastating hit to growers.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"There's plenty of bananas in Australia, our Queensland friends have got lot over there, so there'll be plenty of bananas to go around," Banana grower Les Ball told 9News.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>As in Exmouth, the region was busy preparing for the worst today, stocking up on supplies and sandbags.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><span>Evacuation centre concerns</span></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Buildings in the Canarvon region are built to cyclone standard but locals are warned not to be complacent.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The system is packing winds in excess of well over 200km/h at the moment and all those costal places between Exmouth and Shark Bay can expect those severe wind impacts," Ashley said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Authorities are warning locals and tourists alike to take safety seriously as Narelle approaches.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"With so much uncertainty, it's critical people stay up to date with the latest information," DFES Commander Darren Klemm said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They're also urging residents to act now.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Look around your home and ensure there's no loose objects that can become a hazard," Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia advised.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>After Carnarvon, Narelle is expected to track toward Kalbarri on Saturday, as a category 2 storm.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But the concern is there are no cyclone-rated evacuation centres between the tourist town and Geraldton.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It was a recommendation made after Cyclone Seroja smashed the region five years ago as a category 3.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The building requirements for that area between Geraldton and Kalbarri don't require that evacuation centres, or in fact any buildings, are built to be cyclone rated," Klemm said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><span>Perth set for a soaking</span></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Regardless of where and how the storm tracks, Perth is set for two days of heavy rain.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A total of more than 100 millimetres could fall as the effects of Narelle are felt in the capital city.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Heavy rainfall and gale force winds are forecast to start impacting the city as early as tomorrow.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Many events across Perth, including weddings, have been cancelled or postponed as the city expects a storm surge that will deliver up to 45 millimetres on Friday and a further 50 millimetres on Saturday.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></strong></em><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><em><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Apple</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="" 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