Tropical Cyclone Zelia Forecasted to Strengthen and Impact Western Australia
Tropical Cyclone Zelia has formed off WA’s north-west coast, expected to reach category three strength. Residents are urged to prepare for the storm as it approaches, with imminent risks of damaging winds and heavy rainfall leading to potential flooding. Port Hedland is coordinating shipping evacuations ahead of the cyclone’s landfall.
Tropical Cyclone Zelia has formed in the Indian Ocean, approximately 280 kilometers west of Broome and 320 kilometers northeast of Port Hedland along Western Australia’s north-west coast. The cyclone, categorized as a category one system, is expected to move slowly towards the eastern Pilbara coast, intensifying to category three strength by Friday when it is projected to make landfall.
Residents between Broome and Dampier, as well as inland communities up to Marble Bar, have been advised to prepare for the storm. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) is emphasizing the importance of early preparations as the cyclone’s damaging winds could reach up to 120 kilometers per hour, with an increasing risk of flash flooding due to heavy rain forecasted in affected areas.
Superintendent Leon Gardiner from DFES has stressed that residents should take action now rather than wait until the cyclone approaches. “If we see winds above 125kph, we’ll escalate to a cyclone watch-and-act,” Gardiner noted, indicating the urgency of finalizing preparation activities well in advance of the storm’s impact.
Authorities are actively collaborating with remote pastoral stations, tourism operations, and communities to implement contingency plans for resource deployment, whether pre- or post-impact. These preparations are crucial even in sparsely populated areas. Striving to ensure safety, some residents at Port Hedland’s caravan parks have received orders to evacuate.
Port Hedland, a major trade hub and the world’s largest bulk export port by tonnage, is taking measures to mitigate potential disruptions. Ships in the port are being cleared to prevent damage to the infrastructure, with expectations for all anchored vessels to have departed by Wednesday night. The precautionary actions underline the storm’s anticipated severity and the need for logistical readiness prior to Zelia’s approach.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Zelia is poised to impact Western Australia’s north-west coast, with warnings issued for communities from Broome to Dampier. Residents are urged to finalize preparations as the storm intensifies and is expected to bring destructive winds and heavy rain later this week. Port Hedland is preparing for significant shipping disruptions as authorities prioritize safety and resource deployment.
Original Source: www.abc.net.au
