Severe Tropical Cyclone Charlotte to weaken to a low, and not a repeat of Seroja

Severe tropical cyclone Charlotte will not be a repeat of the devastation of Seroja in 2021, with the system sitting far out to sea off WA and forecast to have weakened to a low if it crosses the coast. Bureau of Meteorology duty forecaster Luke Huntington said on Tuesday that the latest forecasts showed the system well offshore, about 780km north west of Exmouth and weakening to a low later in the week. “It’s well off the coast at the moment,” Mr Huntington said. “You could still get some heavy rain and strong winds if it does cross or come close to the coast but it won’t be a tropical cyclone if it does. “It’s definitely not going to be a repeat of tropical cyclone Seroja.” Mr Huntington said forecasts indicated the system would start weakening overnight and be downgraded to a category one by Thursday, and a low by Thursday night. He said it could still cross the coast later in the week and there was still the potential for some damage, but it would be categorised as a low by then. The system could bring heavy rain and possibly damaging winds if it crossed the coast, he said. The local manager for the State Emergency Service in Kalbarri said the SES were ready for any storm impact. “We’re geared up and we’re ready to roll as required,” Steve Cable said. “We’re monitoring it and contingency plans have been drawn up. “We’re very mindful that people are very anxious because of Seroja and perhaps the condition of their house currently, we’re aware of that.” He said the SES would act based on information from its regional office in Geraldton and from the BOM.