Emergency warnings have been issued as Tropical Cyclone Mitchell heads toward the Pilbara coast in Western Australia. Now a category 3 storm, the cyclone is expected to hit land between Exmouth and Onslow late Sunday night or early Monday morning.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that the storm could bring wind gusts as strong as 195km/h. While the center of the cyclone is still offshore, its powerful winds are already being felt. Forecasters expect the storm to trigger heavy rain, flash flooding, and dangerously high tides.

A senior meteorologist noted that the moisture from the cyclone is also moving across the country. This shift is creating a high risk of severe thunderstorms in several southeastern states.