‘Threat to life': Cat 5 cyclone declared in WA
Tropical Cyclone Zelia is forecast to 'bring very destructive winds and very heavy rain to the Pilbara coast', the Bureau of Meteorology said on Thursday afternoon.
WA emergency services commissioner Darren Klemm has warned residents to follow all directions from authorities as conditions worsen.
'The intensity of tropical cyclone Zelia means there is significant threat to lives and property and I urge people to follow the directions of emergency services in the Pilbara,' he said.
'We are significantly increased our resources in the past 24 hours in preparation for the destructive winds and heavy rainfall.'
Zelia was a category three system around 130km to the north of Port Hedland at 6pm on Wednesday (AWST) and was moving 'very slowly' to the west and southwest.
The Bureau has issued a cyclone warning from Bidyadanga to Dampier, including Port Hedland, Karratha and Dampier, and extending inland to Marble Bar.
Residents in these areas have been warned to expect increasing winds on Thursday afternoon moving into the night.
'We could see damaging to destructive winds developing by the coast tonight and to the early hours of tomorrow, particularly between Wind Creek and Wallal Downs, including Port Hedland,' senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said.
'We could also see very destructive winds near the core of this system as it crosses late Friday into (the) night with winds up to 290 km/h possible.'
Tropical Cyclone Zelia is roughly 280km off the coast of Broome in Western Australia. 'This is a tricky storm to forecast because it is moving very slowly as it intensifies over the next 24 to 48 hours,' Sky News Weather Meteorologist Alison Osborne said. 'A tropical cyclone warning is now in effect for all coastal communities between Broome and Port Hedland.'
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services issued a cyclone advice alert just after 4pm (AWST) on Wednesday, warning residents south of Bidyadanga to Mardie and inland to Nullagine, as well as islands off the West Kimberley and Pilbara coast to prepare for dangerous weather.
Main Roads WA have already announced sections of the Great Northern Highway, Marble Bar Rd and Ripon Hills Rd would be closed from 10.30am Thursday.
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