Cyclone Narelle Strengthens and Nears Australian LNG Plants

Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle strengthened and is threatening to disrupt gas and iron ore operations on Australia’s west coast, after leaving mine closures and evacuations in its wake along the north shore over the past week.

The storm’s top sustained winds have increased to 165 kilometers (103 miles) per hour, making it a Category 4 system, according to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Narelle is about 210 kilometers northwest of Karratha — a liquefied natural gas export hub — and moving southwest off the coast.