Carlos threatens Western Australian coast

Tropical Cyclone Carlos hit Darwin last week, felling trees and powerlines. It has now reformed and is threatening Western Australia. Photo / AAP

Communities in Western Australia's Pilbara region are on cyclone and flood alert after tropical cyclone Carlos reformed over the sea west of Broome.

At 11am (WST) on Monday Carlos was about 130km west of Broome and moving west southwest at 18km/h roughly parallel to the Pilbara coast, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology said.

It is expected to intensify from a category one system on Monday and during Tuesday.

A cyclone warning was in place for coastal areas from Bidyadanga, just southwest of Broome, and Exmouth, extending to the adjacent inland Pilbara.

A cyclone watch was in place for coastal areas from Exmouth to Cape Cuvier, extending to adjacent inland areas.

The bureau said gales with wind gusts up to 90km/h were possible between Bidyadanga and Wallal on Monday.

It said gales were more likely to develop between Wallal and Port Hedland on Monday evening extending west to Karratha early on Tuesday.

There was the risk of destructive winds with gusts exceeding 125km/h in the Port Hedland area overnight, the bureau said.

"Very destructive winds with gusts exceeding 165km/h are possible between Onslow and Exmouth overnight on Tuesday and Wednesday morning," it said.

Damaging waves and flooding of low lying coastal areas was possible and heavy rain was expected to cause significant stream rises for parts of the Kimberley and Pilbara, the bureau said.

The Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) is advising people to be prepared to move equipment and livestock and to stay out of floodwaters.

The bureau has also issued flood warnings for the Murchison, Greenough and Gascoyne River catchments and a flood watch for Western Australia's Goldfields region where thunderstorms are expected.

- AAP