Cyclone Zelia makes landfall in Western Austral
In recent years, Cyclone Zelia has been one of the most powerful storms to hit Western Australia. Before the storm arrived, major industrial ports were closed.
On Friday, the Category 5 storm Cyclone Zelia made landfall on the west coast of Australia. It increased concerns about flash floods by bringing with it “very destructive” winds of up to 180 mph (290 kph) and heavy rains.
The eye of the storm crossed and hit the Australian coast just after 12 p.m. (0400 GMT).
Matthew Collopy of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology stated, “This is a very dangerous system that will cause significant impact and is causing impacts as we speak.”
The eye of the storm, however, passed east of Port Hedland because of which the area could avoid a storm surge, Collopy said.
Emergency services warned residents to take shelter inside their homeImage: Tracey Heimberger/AAP/dpa/picture alliance
Zelia was strongest at Category 5 at the time of landfall east of Port Hedland, which is one of the world’s busiest iron ore ports, according to the bureau.
The cyclone weakened slightly to a category four as it moved over the Pilbara region.
According to forecasters, the cyclone is now expected to move around sparsely populated areas.
Residents told to seek shelter
Cyclone Zelia is the most severe storm to hit the Pilbara coast since Cyclone Ilsa in April 2023.
Authorities in Western Australia issued warnings and told residents living in the cyclone’s path to seek shelter in the strongest part of their homes.
Many residents in Port Hedland were seen in queue for sandbags as the cyclone approached.
Zelia hit Australia as a Category 5 hit Australia’s west coast on Friday and brought “very destructive” winds of up to 180 mph (290 kph) and heavy rains sparking concerns of flash floods.
The eye of the storm crossed and hit the Australian coast just after 12 p.m. (0400 GMT).
“This is a very dangerous system that will cause significant impact and is causing impacts as we speak,” Australian Bureau of Meteorology’s Matthew Collopy said.
The eye of the storm, however, passed east of Port Hedland because of which the area could avoid a storm surge, Collopy said.
Emergency services warned residents to take shelter inside their homes
Zelia was strongest at Category 5 at the time of landfall east of Port Hedland, which is one of the world’s busiest iron ore ports, according to the bureau.
The cyclone weakened slightly to a category four as it moved over the Pilbara region.
According to forecasters, the cyclone is now expected to move around sparsely populated areas.
Residents told to seek shelter
Cyclone Zelia is the most severe storm to hit the Pilbara coast since Cyclone Ilsa in April 2023.
Authorities in Western Australia issued warnings and told residents living in the cyclone’s path to seek shelter in the strongest part of their homes.
As the cyclone got closer, many Port Hedland locals could be seen waiting in line for sandbags.