A man is in hospital with injuries “consistent with a gunshot” and an area south-east of Geraldton has been locked down as police rally to a “serious incident” involving people known to each other.

The public has been told to stay away and significant police resources are at and on their way to Moonyoonooka, a rural locality on the outskirts of Geraldton, in the Mid West.

Police issued at alert just before 3am Wednesday for people to stay away from the area and await further advice.

The alert, with scarce detail, came after a 32-year-old with injures consistent with a gunshot wound had been rushed to Geraldton Regional Hospital about 1am.

St John Ambulance was called following reports of a person with serious but non life-threatening injuries.

A spokesperson confirmed he arrived at hospital at 1.58am.

There are unconfirmed reports that police are searching for a gunman in the area.

A local who lives on Giles Road said she was jolted awake by a bang about 1am.

“It was a bang that woke me up,” she told The West.

“I checked outside and didn’t see anything, so I went back to bed.”

Owner of nearby business, Woof’s House Dog Daycare, Leah Reynolds, said police were stationed on Narra Tarra-Moonyoonooka Road between Giles and Allen Road.

“They haven’t told us if they will block the road off or anything, I’ve been on the phone to customers all morning who keep asking if they can get through or not,” Ms Reynolds said.

The main road, which is a major channel for semi trailers carrying freight, remains open.

“It would be very hard to close because of how busy it is with trucks, there’s not really an alternative way for them to go,” she said.

There has also been reports of undercover 4WD police cars in the area and police vans stationed at traffic stop points.

Geraldton Airport is within the area police have told the public to stay away from. Perth Airport has confirmed flights are taking off and landing at Geraldton as normal.

A flight that departed Perth at 5.30am landed in Geraldton just before 6.30am as scheduled.

Police have not issued any advice to airport staff.

A Perth Airport spokesperson said planes may be held in bays if any issues arose throughout the morning.

More to come.