Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology is urging communities in Western Australia’s northwest to prepare for the coming wet season following the issuance of its tropical cyclone seasonal outlook. The call comes as the Bureau and Fire and Emergency Services Authority begin a tour of the area to promote cyclone and flood awareness initiatives.

Andrew Burton, the Bureau of Meteorology's WA regional manager for severe weather services, said with the wet season rapidly approaching, it is important that residents start preparations immediately. Every season brings the risk of wind damage, flooding and isolation and there is simply no room for complacency.

“Climate models are trending toward another La Niña episode, which would lead us to expect a slightly higher than average number of tropical cyclones, however, no two La Niña events are the same. While this La Niña may be weaker than the last, this doesn’t mean Western Australia can expect fewer tropical cyclones than the previous season,” said Burton.

“Coastal communities between Broome and Exmouth face the highest cyclone risk of any region in Australia, where we would expect around two coastal impacts with one of those likely to be severe. This is what everyone in the northwest needs to be prepared for from the start of the season (1 November).

“For most people a bad season is one when their community is directly affected. Last season’s severe flooding in the Gascoyne was not directly associated with a tropical cyclone, but is an example of how tropical lows can also cause significant flooding,” said Burton.

In terms of cyclone numbers, last season was average. There were five cyclones in waters off the northwest Australian coast, and no severe wind impacts with the exception of a tornado which ripped through Karratha’s central business district as Tropical Cyclone Carlos approached. Last season’s intense La Niña produced a higher than average number of tropical lows, while these didn’t intensify into tropical cyclones, they did threaten the northwest coast, causing disruption to communities and in particular to industry.