‘Harrowing’: Cyclone Narelle leaves graveyard of turtles, dolphins and seabirds in Western Australia

Exmouth local says devastating impact on wildlife along the coastline is ‘hard to put into words’

• Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates

• Sign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter here

As the flooding from Tropical Cyclone Narelle’s violent visit to Exmouth subsided and the winds dropped, Brinkley Davies headed to Graveyards beach.

The beach, at least according to some Exmouth locals, got its name because of the tendency for turtles to get stuck on the dunes.