Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia: West Aussies warned this is a ‘life-threatening weather event’

Good morning,

Cyclone Zelia’s impact on residents overnight is still being confirmed as authorities brace for the worst of the category 5 system.

Weather bureau senior meteorologist Jonathan How said it was expected the core of the cyclone would cross the coast “about 50km west” of Port Hedland in the late afternoon or evening today, between 5pm and 6pm.

“That’s the core of the cyclone but Port Hedland, of course, is still in a very destructive wind zone,” he told ABC radio.

“Residents around Port Hedland and towards the west at this stage, look to be in the firing line of that core, crossing their communities.

The cyclone emergency warning is in place for the areas between Pardoo Roadhouse to Whim Creek — including Port Hedland.

The emergency zone also extends inland to Marble Bar.

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City of Karratha mayor Daniel Scott has advised locals to stay informed.

“Stay tuned to the emergency services website and the emergency WA app,” he told The West Australian.

“We don’t know how this cyclone is going to track just yet, but (it could) come westward and become a Category Five cyclone.

“Category Five cyclones are nothing to be complacent about.”

Mr Scott said city staff had spent the day ensuring there was no loose debris.

“Everything has been taken down or strapped down ... we’ve had rangers going around to some of the suburbs making sure there’s no loose debris,” he said.

“We’ve got the crew going around making sure that everything around town is secure.”

The first cyclone emergency warning has been issued for Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia for people from Pardoo Roadhouse to Whim Creek and inland west of Marble Bar.

“There is a threat to lives and homes. You are in danger and need to act immediately,” the Department of Fire and Emergency Services warning said.

WHAT TO DO

• Shelter indoors now. It is too late to leave.
• Stay in the strongest, safest part of the building.
• Stay away from doors and windows, and keep them closed.
• Keep your emergency kit with you.

A Cyclone Watch and Act warning is in place for people west of Whim Creek to Karratha and Dampier, inland to Tom Price, north to Eighty Mile Beach, and east of Pardoo Roadhouse including Marble Bar.

And Cyclone Advice is in place for those west of Dampier to Onslow, inland from Nanutarra Roadhouse to Newman and east of Marble Bar, including Nullagine.

That also includes Barrow Island, the Montebello Islands and the surrounding coastal islands.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA has warned this cyclone is “a potentially life-threatening event”.

Tropical Cyclone Zelia is expected to cross the Pilbara coast late Friday between De Grey and Dampier.

Winds up to 160km/h and gusts in excess of 260km/h are forecast for the area.

Widespread flooding is also a serious risk, with 200-300mm of rain expected daily. It’s expected the rain will close Great Northern Highway for days, with DFES telling people to listen to road closures.

“If a road is closed, it’s closed for a reason—just 30cm of water can wash away a 4WD. Don’t risk your life or the lives of those with you!”

“We can’t emphasise enough how severe this cyclone is – if you’re in the warning area, take action now. If an Emergency Warning is issued, shelter inside the safest, strongest part of your home”

Photos taken in Port Hedland on Thursday show trees have been pulled from the ground as strong winds impact the area.

As Zelia approaches, Hedland Buses has been working hard to transport locals to safe zones.

General manager Jonathan Hall said they’ve received an influx of calls asking for assistance, with some hesitant to leave too early due to concerns of looting.

“We’ll keep going until we get told to stop. As long as people are calling us, we’ll venture out,” Mr Hall said.

“We do have a 4WD bus that’s designed to go through rivers, so if we have to, we can.”

Mr Hall said most of those seeking lifts are homeless or living in houses that could be destroyed by the cyclone’s strong winds.

While smaller buses have been in use, rising floodwaters may soon require 4WD vehicles to navigate the roads.

Tropical cyclone Zelia is expected to dump more than 500mm of rain in the worst affected areas.

The Town of Port Hedland has asked residents to download the Snap, Send, Solve app to report non-emergency incidents.

“Our crews will work to address incidents as soon as DFES has given us approval to do so.”

Emergency services have rescued a truck driver from floodwaters after a road train washed off a bridge and became partially submerged.

DFES was alerted to the incident on Rippon Hills Road, Marble Bar, about 10.10am and dispatched a helicopter from Newman.

The male driver was rescued about 1pm and was taken to Woodie Woodie minesite for a health assessment.

While the condition of the man is unknown, helicopter crew have confirmed he is “not incapacitated”.

It is not known when the driver became trapped in the floodwaters.

Rippon Hills Road between Marble Bar Road and Telfer Mine Turn Off have been closed since 7.10am.