Western Australia cyclone guide¶

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) works with the Bureau of Meteorology on cyclone warnings in Western Australia. Cyclone season in the North West runs from November to April, and the coast between Broome and Exmouth is the most cyclone prone region in Australia. Cyclones can also bring dangerous wind and flooding to inland towns, and sometimes travel south as far as Perth. For help from the State Emergency Service call 132 500, and for life threatening emergencies call 000.

Checked on October 10, 2026

Every phone number and web address on this page was checked against official sources on that date. Details can change, especially during a storm. Always follow instructions from Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), Western Australia. In a life threatening emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Council areas¶

Choose your council area. These pages cover the council areas that tropical cyclones reach most. Each page has the local disaster management contacts.

More places are on the way. Until yours is listed, see the official sources page or call 211.

What to know in Western Australia¶

DFES says Western Australia's cyclone warnings changed on 15 July 2024. There are three warning levels, Advice, Watch and Act, and Emergency Warning, which move up and down with the risk before, during and after a cyclone. The old Blue, Yellow, Red Alert and All Clear system is no longer used.
In 1996 Severe Tropical Cyclone Olivia crossed the coast near Barrow Island in the Pilbara. DFES says a gust of 408 km/h recorded during that event is the fastest wind gust recorded on the planet to date.
DFES advises visitors in northern Western Australia during cyclone season to book accommodation that can withstand a severe cyclone, or ask the local government whether an evacuation centre is close by. Caravans, motorhomes and campers do not provide safe shelter, and travellers may be asked to leave the area before a cyclone arrives.

Emergency and information numbers¶

Service	Number	Notes
Emergency	000	Fire or life threatening emergencies. Call only when someone's life or property is in danger.
State Emergency Service assistance	132-500	Also written 13 25 00. Temporary emergency repairs and storm help. For life threatening emergencies call 000.
DFES emergency information line (13 DFES)	133-337	Also written 13 3337. Not for life threatening emergencies.

Official alerts and information¶

Emergency WA: The official Western Australia site for warnings and incident information, and for making an emergency plan. DFES tells people to check it for the latest cyclone warnings. Website.
Bureau of Meteorology, Western Australia warnings: Weather and tropical cyclone warnings for Western Australia from the Bureau of Meteorology. Website.

Nationwide resources¶

DFES State Emergency Service assistance: Call 132 500 for State Emergency Service assistance, for example temporary emergency repairs to make a damaged home safe. DFES says calls are prioritised for those most in need, so help can take hours or days. Phone: 132-500. Website.
DFES emergency information line (13 DFES): Call 13 3337 for emergency information from DFES. Not for life threatening emergencies, which go to 000. Phone: 133-337. Website.
DFES, prepare for a cyclone: How to prepare your family, home, pets and animals, and what to do at each warning level. Website.
DFES, during a cyclone: What to expect, when to leave early, and how to shelter. Website.
Main Roads Western Australia: Road network information. DFES lists Main Roads as a source during cyclones; the 24 hour line is 138 138. Phone: 138-138. Website.

Evacuation centers¶

Open only when announced

Evacuation centers open only when officials announce them, and not every center opens for every storm. Check the official list of open centers before you leave home. Bring your own bedding, food, water, and medicines.

Western Australia does not publish a standing statewide list of cyclone shelters on the pages DFES provides. DFES tells people who live in a caravan, an older home or a home that has not been maintained to go to their nearest evacuation centre or a safer place when a Watch and Act is issued, and to ask their local government about evacuation centres. Guide and assistance dogs with the right registration and identification are allowed in emergency shelters. Evacuation centres open only when officials announce them. Check Emergency WA and your local government.

Official list of open evacuation centers

Power, water and debris¶

Western Power: Network operator for the south west of the state, including Perth. Emergencies and outages, 24 hours, call 13 13 51. Do not report hazards or emergencies online. Assume every downed line is live and stay far away. Phone: 131-351. Website.

After the storm: help for displaced residents¶

If your home is damaged or you cannot go back, these organizations help with shelter, food, money, and paperwork. Many programs open only after a disaster declaration, so check their pages for current status.

Money, work and insurance¶

Department of Communities Disaster Relief Hotline: Call 1800 032 965 for urgent help with accommodation, food, clothing and other essential supports after a cyclone, as DFES describes it. Phone: 1800-032-965. Website.

Sources¶

Checked on October 10, 2026. If a number or address here is wrong, please tell us at Keith@KMyers.me.