Story perspectives

Tropical Cyclone Narelle Strikes WA, Halting Gas Production

3/30/2026

Center

Cyclone Narelle Strikes

Tropical Cyclone Narelle made landfall in Western Australia as a category four system, with winds over 170 km/h and heavy rainfall.
The cyclone damaged infrastructure in Exmouth and Carnarvon, including Learmonth Airport.
Gas production at facilities operated by Chevron and Woodside has halted due to damage.
As of March 28, power and water remain unavailable, with crews restoring access and residents urged to shelter indoors.

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Narelle's Apocalyptic Skies

On March 27, residents at Shark Bay Caravan Park in Denham witnessed a blood-red sky as Tropical Cyclone Narelle approached.
The glow, described as "apocalyptic," came from dust kicked up by the storm that scattered light.
The park said on Facebook that everything was covered in dust and wind was minimal.
After the cyclone passed, skies returned to normal by March 29, though the area remained dusty.

History

Historical Context

In December 1974, Tropical Cyclone Tracy struck Darwin, Australia, killing 71 people and destroying over 70% of the city’s buildings. The cyclone's unexpected intensity caught residents off guard during Christmas celebrations, leading to significant infrastructure damage and homelessness for over 41,000 individuals. The disaster prompted a $50 million government response and highlighted the vulnerability of Australian coastal communities to severe weather events.

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Cyclone Narelle Strikes

Tropical Cyclone Narelle made landfall in Western Australia as a category four system, with winds over 170 km/h and heavy rainfall.
The cyclone damaged infrastructure in Exmouth and Carnarvon, including Learmonth Airport.
Gas production at facilities operated by Chevron and Woodside has halted due to damage.
As of March 28, power and water remain unavailable, with crews restoring access and residents urged to shelter indoors.

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