Cyclone Narelle Recovery Information
The Shire of Exmouth has been significantly impacted by Tropical Cyclone Narelle.
The situation is changing; this webpage was last updated at 10.00am 2 April 2026.
Help is available to the community to support recovery after the cyclone.
The Shire of Exmouth is working alongside the Department of Fire and Emergency Services to assess damages and eliminate any immediate dangers to the community.
Full recovery information following the cyclone will be made available and kept up to date on this website page and the following sources listed below. It’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest and most accurate cyclone information in an emergency.
Sources of accurate information at this time include:
The Shire of Exmouth Website
The Shire of Exmouth Facebook Page
Residents can register for Shire of Exmouth SMS updates regarding Emergency Services
Department of Fire and Emergency Services
Department of Fire and Emergency Services Cyclone Narelle Recovery
Department of Communities
Main Roads WA
Fire or life-threatening emergencies: 000
Emergency Information: 13 3337
SES Emergency Assistance: 132 500
Main Roads phone line 138 138
Department of Communities hotline 1800 032 965
The Shire of Exmouth is currently experiencing phone outages as there is no power at our Administration Centre. We are based at the Ningaloo Centre 8.30am to 4.30pm weekdays.
You can call 0428518413 between 8.30 am and 4:30 pm if you are unable to see us in person.
Or email info@exmouth.wa.gov.au for any questions, concerns or advice.
Travelling into/out of Exmouth
The Shire of Exmouth is currently closed to visitors and all non-essential entries.
Visitors are encouraged to leave via Burkett Road in 4WD vehicles only. Please exercise caution driving through flood waters.
Residents are able to return via 4WD access on Burkett Road with ID and proof of residency at the checkpoint.
If you require entry to Exmouth but are not a resident at this time, please call 0428 860 715 to apply for a permit.
Minilya-Exmouth Road access is currently closed.
Updates on other road access points into Exmouth and the surrounding region are available through the Mainroads travel map.
The Learmonth Airport has sustained extensive damage and is non-operational. The airport remains closed until further notice as efforts are being made towards rebuilding the facility.
QANTAS is the direct line of contact to rebook flights. There is no organised shuttle service to or from Karratha run by the Shire of Exmouth.
QANTAS is offering residential fares for Exmouth locals to return via Karratha while Learmonth Airport is closed. Follow the usual residential fare link on QANTAS and it will redirect you.
The Shire facilitated tourists leaving in the immediate aftermath of the cyclone, but it is now up to all remaining travellers to find their own way out of Exmouth.
There is no official bus from Exmouth to Karratha at this stage.
Fuel availability and pricing may fluctuate in regional areas during recovery. Travel with caution, plan accordingly and fuel up as you go. Follow Fuel Watch for updates on fuel supply. You can call ahead to check fuel supply levels and follow MainRoads for road condition reports.
Flood waters are a risk and may have hidden dangers. Do not drive through flood waters over 15cm deep. If you are in danger call DFES.
To those wishing to visit Exmouth
We understand that many people are eager to visit and enjoy Exmouth. However, our community is currently in the early stages of recovery. Accommodation options remain extremely limited, and significant areas of the town are still without power and water due to widespread damage.
At this time, our priority is the wellbeing of our residents and the restoration of essential services. Before we can safely welcome visitors back, we must ensure that our community’s immediate needs are met and that adequate infrastructure and accommodation are available.
We kindly ask for your support by rescheduling your visit where possible, rather than cancelling. This greatly assists our region as we work to rebuild and stabilise essential services.
We look forward to reopening Exmouth to visitors once our community and resources are ready.
National Parks:
Follow the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions for up-to-date information.
Parks and Wildlife Service Pilbara Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/WAParksWildlifePilbara
“Cyclone Narelle has forced temporary park and campsite closures throughout ๐๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ป๐ด๐ฒ ๐ก๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ธ, ๐ก๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด๐ด๐๐น๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฎ ๐ก๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ธ (๐ฒ๐
-๐ก๐ถ๐ป๐ด๐ฎ๐น๐ผ๐ผ ๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป), ๐ก๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด๐ด๐๐น๐ ๐๐ผ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฎ๐น ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐ (๐ช๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฎ ๐๐ผ๐ฎ๐๐) and ๐ก๐ถ๐ป๐ด๐ฎ๐น๐ผ๐ผ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ธ were among those hit hardest and have sustained significant damage. As a result, these parks and campgrounds will be closed over the Easter period and until Monday 27 April, at this stage.”
Parks and Alerts System
Exmouth Residents' Information:
The Shire of Exmouth is working with Department of Fire and Emergency Services, SES, and the State and Federal governments to support our community during this time of rebuild and recovery.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services page has up-to-date information for residents to access key contact numbers and support resources.
https://recovery.dfes.wa.gov.au/recoveries/cyclone-narelle-recovery?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExaDc5Q1VBbXJTQmN5QjQxNHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4zGtT8tYqY3DGZj0yTJey3BqTZZAUq3FpjGtN45BmcC490MC658NVjUmA1hw_aem_JK6m4HK6_gOxxdBqVQKuQQ
Department of Communities
The Department of Communities is also in Exmouth offering practical and personal support for those who need it during this challenging time. The Purple Shirts Team are based at the Ningaloo Centre from
Find the Purple Shirts at the Ningaloo Centre in Exmouth – 2 Truscott Crescent. 8.30 am to 4.30pm in the Mandu Room from Tuesday 31 March 2026.
Impacted residents can also call our Disaster Relief Hotline on 1800 032 965 to discuss wellbeing support, assistance measures and eligibility.
Department of Communities Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/departmentofcommunities
This emergency assistance is primarily administered by the WA Department of Communities to help support eligible individuals and families who need assistance to meet their immediate and essential needs as a direct result of the eligible disaster. It may include:
- Emergency accommodation
- Emergency food
- Emergency clothing and
- Replacement of essential household items and personal effects*
- Essential housing repairs to return to safe and habitable condition*
- Personal or financial support services
Note: * These assistance measures are subject to income and/or asset testing.
Power
Horizon Power has connected over 1100 homes and is working tirelessly to get the remaining properties in town reconnected. There are still many homes and businesses without power. Please be cautious of live wires and stay at least 10m away from any fallen or broken lines, if you are unsure if a line is live treat it as though it is and report an emergency fault or outage 24/7 on 13 23 51.
Horizon power website: https://www.horizonpower.com.au/
Horizon Power Facebook: Horizon Power
Water
Exmouth is currently at limited water capacity and cannot accommodate visitors due to restricted resources.
Water Corporation has restored the water supply at a restricted flow to the town. Please be extremely mindful of water consumption at this time. Avoid unnecessary water use where possible. For residents still without water, please report water outages to Water Corporation on 13 13 75 (available 24 hours).
Water Corporation Website: https://www.watercorporation.com.au/
Water Corporation Facebook: Water Corporation
Waste
The Landfill/Tip is open and operating regular hours.
Location
The Tip is located 11km south of town on the west side of Minilya-Exmouth Road.
Opening Times
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Monday to Saturday
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8:00am - 12:00pm & 1.00pm - 3.00pm
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|
Public Holidays
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Closed
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The tip will be manned during all opening hours and access to the general tipping area is controlled by the attendant via a boom-gate. The tip will be closed and inaccessible at all other times other than those shown above.
https://www.exmouth.wa.gov.au/shire-services/waste-recycling/qualing-scarp.aspx
Free Verge Collection of Green and Building Waste:
The Shire is offering Free Green Waste Collection on 2 April 2025. Ensure your Green Waste is out for collection by end of day 1 April 2026.
Details of verge collection requirements can be found here: https://www.exmouth.wa.gov.au/shire-services/waste-recycling/rubbish-collection/greenwaste.aspx
Building waste will be collected after green waste at a later date. Ensure building waste is on your verge by 6 April 2026. If you are able to we ask that you take building and/or green waste to the tip/landfill yourself to assist clean up efforts.
Asbestos Disposal Information
Manage asbestos with extreme care.
To dispose of asbestos, it must be wrapped in black plastic, securely taped, clearly marked, and can then be taken to the landfill. Equipment is available at the SES building to assist with safe handling. Please handle with caution.
- Many homes built before 1990 may contain asbestos. If damaged, asbestos can become a health risk.
- If you see broken sheeting from older homes, assume it contains asbestos — do not touch or disturb it without referring to WA Health guidelines.
- Do not sweep, rake, vacuum or pressureโwash debris — this can release asbestos fibres.
- Keep children and pets well away from debris piles.
For information on asbestos in homes, visit WA Health: https://www.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/About-asbestos
Mosquitos
The Shire currently has an active mosquito management program in place, with assistance from the Department of Health. Residents can help by removing any pooling water around their homes, including in boats, kids/ dog clam shell pools, and any stagnant water. Mosquito activity is expected to increase in the coming weeks.
The best defence is to protect yourself from mosquito bites — Fight the Bite:
- Wear loose fitting, light coloured, long sleeved clothing where possible.
- Use mosquito repellent — repellent is available from the Shire.
- Be particularly vigilant at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active, and consider limiting outdoor activity during these times.
For more information visit: Fight the Bite
Noise
We ask residents to please be considerate of your neighbours in all residential areas. To allow everyone some rest, we respectfully ask that generators be turned off between midnight and 6am in all residential areas, where it is safe to do so. Thank you for your understanding as we recover together.
What Help is Available
Premier’s Relief Payment
The Premier’s Relief Payment is available to provide financial assistance to eligible residents whose dwelling was directly damaged or destroyed by Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle. The payment is available to help residents pay for food, clothing, personal effects, transport and emergency accommodation.
- A one-off payment of $4,000 per household is available to eligible applicants whose home was destroyed or suffered severe damage.
- A one-off payment of $2,000 per household is available to eligible applicants whose home suffered major damage.
Make an enquiry
Phone: 1800 490 678 Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm
Email: recoverygrants@dfes.wa.gov.au
Local Exmouth Counselling Services
• Centacare Exmouth Family Counselling – 9949 2225
• Exmouth Hospital – Social Worker & Mental Health Nurse – 9949 3666 Free AfterโHours & 24/7 Phone and Online Support
Rural West:
Rural West provide a free, confidential, mobile, independent financial counselling service to regional small businesses and all primary production enterprises in WA, who are navigating their way through difficult and turbulent times.
Phone:1800 612 004
Email:enquiries@ruralwest.com.au
Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is encouraging Western Australian farmers impacted by Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle to reach out for support as they begin the process of recovery and rebuilding. Rural Aid provides a range of practical and wellbeing support services for farmers at no cost, including:
- Financial assistance to help cover urgent or unexpected costs
• Counselling and mental health support for farmers and their families
• Emergency hay deliveries to support livestock
• Water deliveries for essential household use
• On-ground help through the Farm Army and Farm Recovery Event programs, assisting with clean-up and rebuilding.
Farmers seeking support can call 1300 327 624 or visit www.ruralaid.org.au