Western Australia is bracing for another potential cyclone to hit the north coast, with flooding starting to impact the region.

Residents in coastal and island areas between Cape Leveque in the Kimberley to Port Hedland in the Pilbara have been warned to prepare their homes and families as a tropical low develops offshore.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) recommends people know the cyclone alert system and organise an emergency kit that has a portable battery-operated radio, torch, spare batteries and first aid kit.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) estimated on Sunday morning that the tropical low was 120 kilometres northwest of Fitzroy Crossing and 135km east of Derby, moving west-southwest at 15km/h.

The low is expected to move across the Kimberley on Sunday, bringing heavy rainfall and strong squally winds.

BoM says the system is likely to track close to the west Kimberley coast and Eighty Mile Beach area on Monday, and there is potential for it to move over open water.

“If the low spends enough time over open water, it will develop into a tropical cyclone,” BoM said.

From Tuesday the system is likely to be over land in the Pilbara and moving towards the south.

Gales with gusts up to 100km/h may develop between Cape Leveque and Wallal on Monday if the low develops into a tropical cyclone, and then later extend down towards Port Hedland, BoM said.