Australia Weather News

Tropical Cyclone Mitchell has been downgraded to a category one system as it continues to track south along WA's north-west coast. 

The system is sitting south-west of Exmouth, about 1,170 kilometres north of Perth, and heading towards Carnarvon.

Watch and act cyclone warnings cover an area from Coral Bay to Wooramel Roadhouse, including Carnarvon.

Previously emergency warnings for the areas were downgraded just before 1pm as the system intensity reduced.

Shire of Carnarvon President Eddie Smith said the town had plenty of time to prepare and that the rain was much needed.

"The whole town has listened to what they have been advised and got themselves ready," he said.

"We're sitting back and patiently waiting for this rain."

The warning for the town of Exmouth has been downgraded to Watch and Act.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Sarah Scully said the system was weakening.

"Tropical Cyclone Mitchell has actually been downgraded to a category one system and the tropical cyclone warning," she said.

"It's expected to push towards Carnarvon at around 5pm this afternoon and then crossing between Carnarvon and Wooramel Roadhouse later this evening."

Ms Scully said it was expected to bring abnormally high tides this afternoon which might cause flooding across low-lying areas.

Damaging wind gusts of up to 120 kilometres an hour are occurring about coastal areas south of Exmouth to north of Cape Cuvier.

Evacuation centres are open in Carnarvon and Shark Bay.

'Dodged a bullet'

Exmouth Shire President Matthew Niikula said there were strong winds in the town overnight, but there seemed to be minimal damage.

"I think we dodged a bullet, pretty well, which was good," he said.

"The town had a fantastic clean-up moving into it, so everyone was well-prepared, well strapped down.

"There's a few branches down that I can see out my windows."

Horizon Power said 99 customers were without power in Exmouth, down from about 1,300.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services incident controller Todd Pender said his team was working hard to get Horizon crews into Exmouth so power could be restored.

Several schools and roads in the region are closed, but Mr Pender was hopeful children could start going back soon.

"What we will do is work with the education department to make sure those warning zones are lifted as soon as possible," he said.

"That allows people to get back into the schools to do the examinations and inspections for damage, because I'm really keen to get the kids back into school. 

"Probably doesn't make me a favourite with them."

In the town of Onslow, trees have been downed by the strong winds.

Onslow resident Phil Judge said the town fared quite well.

"At least we've had a good wash," he said.

Additional support

Department of Fire and Emergency Services Incident Controller Will Blackshaw said additional resources had been deployed to the north from Perth.

"The focus for DFES today will be to continue to monitor the system as it makes its way down the coast and prepare the people further south in the towns of Denham and Carnarvon for the event that's coming towards them," he said.

He said a large amount of preparation had been done in towns such as Coral Bay.

"People who don't live in the town have left, but there are people who will be residential in Coral Bay and they'll be riding out this cyclone there," Mr Blackshaw said.

'We've also done a lot of preparedness work with the residents there and also the teams that are in place to assist them if anything needs to occur."