Warnings remain in WA’s north as Tropical Cyclone Sean weakens, continues path south-west

Tropical Cyclone Sean has now weakened to a category three but warnings remain for some coastal areas as the cyclone continues its trajectory off the coast of Western Australia.

The tropical cyclone sat roughly 500km west of Carnarvon on Tuesday afternoon with sustained winds of 120km/h near the centre and gusts up to 165km/h.

It is expected the cyclone will reduce to a tropical low by Thursday morning as it continues to move south-west into cooler waters.

A Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokesperson confirmed there had been 51 calls for assistance due to the cyclone, three of which were on Tuesday.

There are no longer cyclone warnings for anywhere in Western Australia but a storm surge advice is currently in place for the Shark Bay Peninsula including Monkey Mia, Denham and Hamelin Pool.

“A storm surge entering Shark Bay will drive abnormally high tidal levels. Tides are likely to rise well above the normal high tide mark this evening about southern Shark Bay, leading to potential flooding for low-lying coastal areas,” a DFES warning read.

Several parks and campgrounds around the shires of Exmouth, Carnarvon and Shark Bay also remain closed through Tuesday.

While the cyclone did not make landfall, it did bring record rainfall for parts of the Pilbara with 274mm of rain over 24 hours on Sunday — beating the previous 24-hour record set in 2006 by more than 60mm.

Flood advice warnings remain in place in the Pilbara, for people travelling along North West Coastal Highway and surrounding areas between Whim Creek to Ningaloo, as well as people travelling along North West Coastal Highway and surrounds in an area between Sandfire to Whim Creek.

As of Tuesday afternoon there was no immediate threat to both areas but those in the warning zones were urged by DFES to keep up to date in case the situation changes.

In the State’s south, Perth sweltered through another uncomfortable day as the temperature surpassed 38C in the CBD.

Pearce was the warmest spot in the metropolitan area as it hit 41.9C just after 1pm, while Geraldton backed up its record-equalling day of 49.3C on Monday with a more reasonable 40C on Tuesday.