Authorities are warning residents across WA to prepare for severe weather, as Tropical cyclone Narelle makes its way down the coast, after previously travelling across both Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Bureau of Meteorology Meteorologist Ilana Cherny says it is a Category three system and will continue to intensify over the next 24 hours into a category four system.

“There is a warning area spanning from Port Hedland to Carnarvon, which is expected to see significant impacts including damaging to destructive winds, up to and above 200km/h. We will also see an increase in heavy rainfall with flash flooding a risk,” she says.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Jerry Clune says the impact of the system is already being felt.

“We’ve sent the warning out for a couple of days that it could be coming our way and this morning when you wake up, it certaintly is,” he says.

“The winds are quite strong; there’s a fair bit of cloud cover coming so we are definitely feeling the outer edges of it at this stage.”

Mr Clune says people in Geraldton are beginning to pack up and prepare for the system as it continues down the coast, providing tips residents can use to keep themselves safe.

“You’ve got to make sure you’ve got water, enough food, batteries for your radio, and bit of cooking equipment,” he says.

“Another thing which is a bit unusual is to make sure you have cash on you, because quite often after the Cyclone you could have EFTPOS machines going down.

“Just obey the instructions from Department of Fire and Emergency Services that will be coming out. There will be road closures, there will be definite weather impacts and there will probably be a time when we go into lockdown.”

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Jerry Clune

“We are very much in operational mode here; we have been meeting with the key stakeholders and emergency management and Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) have taken control of that,” Mr Clune says.

WA Minister for Emergency Services Paul Papalia says the best way to stay alert is to stay aware of what authorities advise.

“What I would say is please monitor Emergency WA, monitor other notifications via the media and other sources, and listen to the advice of the authorities,” he says.

While residents are expressing fear for the system’s impact, Mr Papalia says emergency services are well prepared to handle the intensity of the cyclone.

“We have good people, we have strong plans, and we are prepared to assist and respond to this situation,” he says.

Minister for Emergency Services Paul Papalia, Commissioner Darren Klemm and Bureau of Meteorology Spokesperson James Ashley discuss Tropical Cyclone Narelle. Video: Stella McGann.

The potential impact of Narelle is already affecting events in Perth planned for this weekend.

Curtin University made the decision to postpone its University Open Day, due to take this Sunday, March 29, beacuse of the severe weather forecast.

Curtin University Chief Stategy and Marketing Officer Dr Marco Schultheis says it was a difficult but neccesary decision to make.

“Curtin’s Open Day is the largest in Western Australia and we know it’s something thousands of families plan around,” he says.

“It’s a real chance to walk the campus, meet the people who’ll teach and support you and get a genuine feel for what the Curtin community is like. That’s why we’re so disappointed we can’t go ahead this weekend, but safety always comes first.

“We’re working on an alternative date so we can welcome people back, answer their questions and give them that full Curtin experience.”