 Severe Tropical Cyclone Clare was a moderately strong cyclone that struck Western Australia in January 2006 . The storm formed as an area of low pressure in the Arafura Sea , and moved westward . After receiving the name Clare on 7 January , the system ultimately peaked at Category 3 intensity on the Australian tropical cyclone scale . It moved ashore on the coast of Pilbara and proceeded inland , dissipating on 10 January . Clare produced winds of 142 km / h ( 88 mph ) at Karratha and triggered widespread torrential rainfall that led to flooding . Following its usage , the name Clare was retired by the Bureau of Meteorology , and will never be used again for a tropical cyclone in the area . 
