Home›Questions on Notice›QoN 1535

❓ Hon Julie Freeman questions the Department of Fire and Emergency Services regarding the application of cyclone warning systems in Karratha during Ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle, focusing on warning levels, communication, and decision-making compared to other communities and past events.

AnsweredQoN 1535Legislative Council

Asked

14 April 2026

Member

Hon Julie Freeman

Portfolio

Emergency Services

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the application of cyclone and emergency warning systems during Ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle in Karratha and surrounding Pilbara communities, and I ask:(a) what criteria were used by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services Western Australia to determine warning levels in Karratha during Ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle;(b) why did Karratha remain at a Watch and Act warning level despite experiencing damaging winds and hazardous on-the-ground conditions;(c) what factors led to neighbouring communities, including Dampier and Roebourne, receiving higher-level warnings compared to Karratha;(d) what real-time, on-the-ground information was collected in Karratha during the event, and how was this information communicated to decision-makers;(e) what specific triggers or thresholds are used to escalate warnings from Watch and Act to Emergency Warning, and were these met in Karratha during Ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle;(f) why was an evacuation centre not activated in Karratha during Ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle;(g) how does the warning system ensure alignment between emergency warning levels and forecasts issued by the Bureau of Meteorology;(h) what communication channels were used to disseminate warnings to Karratha residents, and were any gaps identified in the delivery of timely updates;(i) how does the response to Ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle in Karratha compare to previous events, including Cyclone Mitchell, in terms of warning escalation and decision-making; and(j) will the Government undertake a review of the warning system as applied during Ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle in Karratha, and if so, when?