The Pilbara region is preparing for wild weather as Tropical Cyclone Zelia intensifies and moves over Western Australia over Port Hedland.
The Great Northern Highway, Ripon Hills Road and Marble Bar Road closed at 10.30am local time today, with Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issuing a cyclone watch and act alert for truckies travelling between Eighty Mile Beach and Whim Creek.
The category four cyclone is intensifying rapidly, with BOM expecting it to reach category five intensity today and bring destructive winds and heavy rain to the Pilbara coast.
The main danger area is expected to be north west of Port Hedland and north east of Karratha, with the cyclone predicted to move slowly today before heading south to the coast tomorrow.
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Damaging wind gusts up to 120km/h are developing near the De Grey and Whim Creek coastal fringe, with the centre of the cyclone expected to have gusts up to 290km/h as it crosses the coast tomorrow.
BOM is predicting flash flooding is likely to occur across coastal and inland areas between Whim Creek and Bidyadanga, with a flood watch issued in the Pilbara, western Kimberley and northern Gascoyne.
The weather event comes after North Queensland is still recovering from recent major rainfall and flooding incidents, with deliveries to the Pilbara region, including the likes of Port Hedland, Karratha, Broome, Derby, Kununurra and Halls Creek expected to be delayed.
Centurion Transport is one operator already warning customers that deliveries may be delayed as roads like the Great Northern Highway close.
“Tropical Cyclone Zelia is heading towards the West Australian coast, with landfall expected on Friday or Saturday. However, its exact path remains uncertain,” Centurion says in a statement.
“The safety of our team and customers is our priority, and we strongly encourage everyone to remain cautious and prepared as this situation develops. Stay safe and follow local authorities’ guidance.”
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