Cyclone Odette forms off WA coast in rare weather event with Cyclone Seroja, triggering blue alert

A second tropical cyclone has formed off Western Australia, triggering a blue alert across a massive section of the state’s coastline stretching from Coral Bay to Lancelin.

Formerly a tropical low, Tropical Cyclone Odette has formed to the north-west of Tropical Cyclone Seroja — which formed earlier this week — and is forecast to move east to south-east on Friday, before rapidly moving to the south-south-west Saturday.

People in the affected areas are being warned to start preparing for dangerous weather.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) is asking people to prepare their homes and secure any boats, caravans, trailers, sheds, rainwater tanks, outdoor furniture and LPG bottles.

DFES said those on holiday in the area should speak to their accommodation provider about their cyclone plan to help them decide what to do if the area becomes affected.

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It warned North West Coastal Highway could close from today, preventing travellers north of Minilya — a small community between Carnarvon and Coral Bay — to travel south.

DFES said there could also be further restrictions on major highways further north in coming days.

Anyone on a vessel between Onslow and Jurien Bay, including the Abrolhos Islands should also prepare to move to somewhere safer.

Tropical Cyclone Odette is expected to be short-lived because it is forecast to weaken when it interacts with Tropical Cyclone Seroja over the weekend.

But there is a risk of damaging winds and rain developing between Exmouth and Coral Bay on Saturday, with gusts in excess of 90 kilometres per hour possible.

TC Seroja the dominant system

Meanwhile, Tropical Cyclone Seroja is expected to bring dangerous weather conditions to the west coast on Sunday or Monday, with a huge area of coastline between Coral Bay and Lancelin, including Carnarvon, Denham, Kalbarri and Geraldton in the “watch zone”.

The Bureau of Meteorology warned Tropical Cyclone Seroja was set to intensify as it headed south-west over water on Friday and then further south on Saturday.

On Sunday, it is forecast to turn south-east and accelerate towards the west coast before making landfall late Sunday or early Monday between Carnarvon and Jurien Bay.

BOM said destructive winds in excess of 125 kph were possible in the centre of Seroja as it moved across the coast into the Wheatbelt.

Heavy rainfall and flash flooding are likely during Sunday and Monday too, with abnormally high tides between Coral Bay and Lancelin.