WA told to brace for cyclone

Only weeks after Australia's east coast was devastated by Cyclone Yasi, Cyclone Carlos is set to make landfall on the west coast near Perth. Photo / Getty Images

PERTH - Residents on the West Australian coast between Onslow and Exmouth have been warned to brace for destructive winds gusting to 155km/h as tropical cyclone Carlos passes through.

The category 2 system continues to track southwest along the coast and early on Wednesday morning buffeted Onslow with high winds and rain.

A cyclone warning is in place for coastal areas from Dampier to Carnarvon.

A high-level red alert is in place for communities between Onslow and Coral Bay including Exmouth where residents are being urged to move to the safest part of their homes and brace for destructive winds.

Relocation centres have been set up in Exmouth and Onslow.

The Bureau of Meteorology said that at 5am (WST) on Wednesday Carlos was about 50km east northeast of Exmouth and 55km west southwest of Onslow, moving southwest at 13km/h.

"Destructive winds with gusts to 155km/h are possible along the coast just west of Onslow, extending to Exmouth during the morning," it said in an advisory.

Carlos swept over Karratha on Tuesday, bringing high winds and rain but no major damage has been reported.

About 38 homes along with businesses were damaged in the oil and gas town on Monday when a cyclone-fuelled mini-tornado tore through.

Emergency workers had to hastily patch up holes in roofs and clear what debris they could before the onslaught of Carlos.

Many schools in the Pilbara region will remain closed on Wednesday and oil, gas and port installations suspended operations as Carlos passes by.

The bureau said gales with gusts to 120km/h were being experienced in coastal areas between Mardie and Exmouth.

It said gales may extend south to Cape Cuvier during Wednesday morning and to Carnarvon and offshore islands by Wednesday evening if the system tracked further towards the south.

Rough seas, possible flooding of low-lying coastal areas and stream rises were also possible, the bureau said.

- AAP