Tropical Cyclone Errol intensifies to Category 4, Kimberley Coast on alert

Communities along the west Kimberley coast are being urged to prepare now, with severe tropical cyclone Errol tracking towards the mainland.

At 8:54pm on Wednesday the Bureau of Meteorology advised Cyclone Errol has continued to intensify and has been upgraded to a Category 4. The cyclone is packing sustained winds of 150km/h near the centre, with gusts reaching up to 205km/h.

The cyclone is currently located about 540 kilometres north-west of Broome and 590km west north-west of Kuri Bay, moving west south-west at 10km/h.

The current forecast indicates Errol will begin weakening from Thursday afternoon as it turns south-east and approaches the west Kimberley coast by the weekend.

Prepare now for gales, heavy rain and dangerous seas

Although Errol is expected to weaken below cyclone strength as it nears the coast on Saturday, damaging gales and isolated heavy rainfall are still likely for parts of the Kimberley.

Areas most at risk include:

Cockatoo Island to Beagle Bay — expected to experience damaging wind gusts from late Friday into Saturday morning.

Kuri Bay to Cockatoo Island — gales possible on Saturday morning.

Beagle Bay to Broome — could be impacted if the system tracks slightly further south than forecast.

Heavy rainfall and rising tides are also forecast, with conditions deteriorating from late Friday.

Roads around the Dampier Peninsula may become impassable with little warning, and travel plans over the Easter long weekend should be reviewed.

Watch zone in effect:

A cyclone watch is in place from Kuri Bay to Broome, not including Broome itself at this stage.

What locals and travellers should do:

Begin preparing your home and property now — secure outdoor items, caravans, boats, and other loose materials.

Ensure your emergency kit is stocked with essentials, including food, water, medications, and a battery-powered radio.

Stay informed via the Emergency WA website or app and monitor updates from DFES and the Bureau of Meteorology.

A DFES spokesperson urged the coastal Kimberley community to remain vigilant.

“Although there is no immediate danger, this is a serious system,” a DFES spokesperson said.

“We’re urging people in the warning area to stay alert and take preparations seriously.