Cyclone Zelia: Storm reaches coast, reduced to category 4 but still packing a punch a dangerous

Cyclone Zelia has crossed the Pilbara coast east of Port Hedland, with emergency servicing bracing for the destruction of property and the chance of deaths.

DFES Commissioner Darren Klemm said it was critical impacted communities “did not get complacent” as those bounded by an emergency warning are urged to shelter.

“The cyclone hazards wont ease when the cyclone has passed,” he said.

“Conditions after a cyclone can be just as dangerous as the cyclone itself including damaged buildings, fallen powers lines and debris.”

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.

Bureau of Meteorology’s manager for environmental prediction services Matthew Collopy said the now category 4 system would cause “significant impacts”.

By 12pm, the core was about 64km north-east of Port Hedland and moving south-east at a rate of 11km/h.

Mr Collopy said it could bring wind gusts of up to 290km/h but after it was downgraded, winds in Port Hedland were not expected to breach 270km/h.

The system’s core, previously a category 5, made landfall at 12.30pm near the De Grey river catchment.

“This system is producing very heavy rainfall, with rainfall totals expected to be 200mm to 300mm over the next 24 hours,” Mr Collopy said.

He said it would bring rainfall totals over the next three days of about 500mm, with potential flash flooding in areas including the De Grey River catchment.

DFES had received 37 calls for assistance in the past two days, mostly related to fallen trees and assisting elderly residents in securing their properties.

Mr Klemm said with every cyclone there was a chance of deaths.

“When you are dealing with such destructive winds there is always the chance that things like this are going to happen,” he said.

“Obviously it’s not something that we want to happen, certainly a cyclone where it’s crossing the coast now, east of Port Hedland, is a better result than perhaps what we thought was going to happen three to four hours ago.

“The flooding can be just as deadly as the passage of wind from the cyclone.

“It’s really important people following the warnings on Emergency WA — don’t go into flood waters, don’t let you kids play in floodwaters as we get through this passage of the cycle.”

The cyclone is expected to continue moving south through Saturday as it de-intensifies to a category one before reaching Newman.

About 50 State Emergency Services personnel have been sent to the area from Perth while local crews are ready to respond Mr Klemm said.

Across the Pilbara there are about 150 to 200 staff — including volunteers — placed ready to assist.

The Australian Defence Force are also on standby.

Mr Klemm said he was confident DFES were well placed to respond.

“The planning has been going on for at least the last week as this (cyclone) moved it’s way down from the Kimberely to the Pilbara,” he said.

“We have got those additional crews available to come from either from Perth, from Carnarvon, or from the (Eastern States) if required.”