<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Tropical Cyclone Mitchell is forecast to intensify to a category 3 storm before it makes landfall in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/western-australia" rel="" target="_blank" title="Western Australia"><span>Western Australia</span></a><span>'s Pilbara region.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Mitchell is sitting off the coast about 145km north of Port Hedland as a category 2 storm and is on track to worsen as it passes north of Karratha overnight.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Bureau of Meteorology is anticipating heavy rainfall and flash flooding later today and has already recorded wind gusts of up to 130km/h.</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><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/wa-police-commissioner-grilled-on-response-to-alleged-terror-bombing-at-indigenous-rally/20522743-0d7a-4912-9ede-a738ecdd4176" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>WA Police Commissioner grilled on response to alleged terror bombing at rally</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Residents in De Grey to Ningaloo, including Port Hedland, Karratha, Onslow, Exmouth, Pilbara and Pannawonica are under the warning zone.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has issued a watch and act warning to those in Whim Creek to Mardie, including Barrow Island and Montebello Islands, urging them to prepare to take shelter.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a cyclone is approaching the area," the warning reads.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/tropical-cyclone-mitchell-to-intensify-to-category-3-storm-ahead-of-landfall/d71a616f-c028-442f-8117-63bde494c3fe" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>An evacuation centre will be open in the Karratha Leisureplex from midday today.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Residents south of Mardie to Carnarvon and inland to Pannwonica are urged to prepare now, while those in Pardoo Roadhouse to east of Whim Creek are advised to monitor conditions. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/author-craig-silvey-accused-of-child-exploitation-has-bail-varied/98981be6-ccb2-4b16-9706-ca2136ed578e" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Author accused of child exploitation returns to court</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Mitchell is expected to continue travelling south to the Pilbara coast at a steady 16km/h pace tomorrow, where it will remain until it makes landfall there by Monday. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Heavy rainfall and potential flash flooding are forecast for the area and could extend to the west Gascoyne region.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Very destructive winds are expected to extend to Onslow and possibly Exmouth.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Abnormally high tides are also feared to cause serious flooding in the Karratha region early tomorrow morning and then in the Onslow region by the afternoon.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Mitchell is forecast to downgrade to a category 2 storm by Monday night and then a category 1 by Tuesday. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><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><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" 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