CYCLONE PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY IN PILBARA AND GASCOYNE

Forecast Map issued by the Department of Meteorology at 8.55 am on Thursday, 22 February.

UPDATED with new advice as of 8.56 am - See the Bureau of Meteorology or DFES for updates

Ex-tropical Cyclone Lincoln is currently offshore the west Kimberley coast and is expected to redevelop into a tropical cyclone overnight on Thursday.

The weather system is forecast to moves towards the far west Pilbara or upper Gascoyne coast and impact on Saturday.

A Blue Alert warning is in place for towns between Roebourne and Minilya Roadhouse, including Karratha, Dampier, Onslow, and Exmouth.

Residents are advised to prepare for cyclonic weather, tie down or move loose items, and organise an emergency kit including first aid kit, torch, portable radio, food and water.

DFES Pilbara Superintendent Darryl Ray told Ngaarda Media preparations were in place.

“We’ve got an Incident Management Team here in Karratha, and also Carnarvon,” he said. “We’ve got Urban Search and Rescue Teams and SES people, trucks and equipment, they’re all arriving today and tomorrow in the various areas throughout the region.

“We also need the community to be prepared.”

Listen to the full interview with DFES Pilbara Superintendent Darryl Ray:

Note: This interview was recorded at around 8 am, before the most recent update.