Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia: Category five system to bring wind gusts up to 320km/h

Pople in the Pilbara Coastal Rivers catchment habe been told to prepare for flooding as the cyclone heads closes to the WA coast.

“You need to prepare as flooding is forecast. There is no immediate danger but you need to keep up to date in case the situation changes,” Emergency WA stated.

WHAT TO DO

• Never drive, walk, swim or play in floodwaters, as they are dangerous.
• Prepare an emergency kit and make sure it is fully stocked. This is important if you become isolated or need to leave for a safer place. Ensure it includes enough canned food and water to last for five to seven days, as well as clothing, important documents such as identification and insurance papers, medication, cash and a battery-operated radio to listen to warnings.
• Prepare to move cars, equipment, livestock and pets early so they are not caught in floodwaters.
• Fill your vehicle’s fuel tank.
• Watch for changes in water levels so you are ready if you need to evacuate.
• Do not park or camp adjacent to rivers.

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The Bureau has issued an updated forecast map and revealed even stronger winds are now expected.

“Very destructive wind gusts of up to 320km/h are likely close to the centre of the cyclone as it crosses the coast,” the BoM stated.

The highest ever wind gust recorded was 408km/h in 1996 at Barrow Island as Severe Tropical Cyclone Olivia passed through.

“Although this gust was initially regarded as suspect, the gust was later verified as reliable and stands as the world record for the highest wind gust in a tropical cyclone,” the BoM website states.

Retail stores have now shut in Dampier, Karratha and Port Hedland.

DFES commissioner Darren Klemm said grocery store supplies are looking strong.

“Coles, Woolies, and Metcash have undertaken a raft of advanced supply into Karratha and then further north up into Broome and other parts,” he said.

“They’ve reported to us that the stocks are really good.

“Yes, there’s been some increase in purchasing that that often goes on in these types of circumstances . . . but as soon as they’re able to get back in with the road closures then they will.”

A second evacuation centre is being opened at Karratha Leisureplex from 3pm.

The Department of Communities is setting up the centre, located on the Dampier Highway, opposite Broadhurst Road, Stove Hill.

“Please take any essential items such as medications and identification to the evacuation centre,” latest advice from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services said.

“Pets (except recognised assistance animals) are not allowed inside evacuation centres for health and safety reasons, so you should make alternative arrangements for them.”

Major retailers and schools in Karratha are also closed as the town bunkers down for the incoming storn.

St Paul’s Primary School was the latest to be closed as of 2pm, bringing the total schools closed in the cyclone area to 14.

Domino’s South Hedland will be giving away pizzas to those impacted by the cyclone.

“We are open for those affected by the weather, we will be donating pizzas to shelters and emergency workers.”

“Anyone affected by power outages or unable to access a hot meal please come down to Domino’s and we will provide pizzas.”

St Luke’s College will be closed from 2pm in Karratha in preparation for Tropical Cyclone Zelia.

“No one will be allowed on site as it will not be safe,” DFES advised.

“Parents and carers are asked to keep their children home.”

It brings the total number of schools closed ahead of the cyclone to 13.

A rescue is underway after significant rainfall washed a road train off the road.

While TC Zelia is yet to make landfall, heavy rainfall and flash flooding is already impacting several areas.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services were called to Ripon Hills Road in Marble Bar around 10am after a road train was washed off a bridge due to flooding over the road.

A rescue is still underway with a helicopter sent to assess the incident.

It is understood one truck driver is involved but their condition remains unknown at this stage.

Ripon Hills Road was closed on Thursday as a result of water over the road.

Karratha residents are in cyclone preparation mode with the Karratha SES offering sandbags to locals and supplies flying off the shelves at hardware stores.

“People have been grabbing ratchet straps, fuel tins and anything to do with tie-downs,” Karratha Mitre 10 manager Zana Scheffler said.

“Customers have also been buying barbecues just for that extra cooking option with gas.

“We manage Home Hardware too so we’re closing Mitre 10 around midday to go help out over there as it’s so busy.”

Long-time Karratha resident Mick Casey has lived in town during multiple cyclones since the 1980s and said it was always best to be prepared.

“We have been preparing the house over the last few days,” he said.

“We’ve tied down the caravan, boat and stored the cars away.”

Tropical cylone Zelia has developed into a category five system prompting warnings there is a “

The category five cyclone is expected to hit the Pilbara coast between Dampier and De Gray, with Karratha and Port Hedland both at risk of direct impact.

The cyclone was located 145km north-west of Port Hedland and 225km northeast of Karratha as of 11am on Thursday morning.

“Tropical cyclone Zelia developed rapidly overnight fulled by a very warm ocean off the northern parts of WA,” he said.

“This is a very dangerous system that will cause significant impacts.”

“The intensity of tropical cylcone Zelia means there is a significant threat to lives and property and I urge people to follow the directions of emergency services,” Department of Fire and Emergency Services commissioner Darren Klemm said.