Cyclone Zelia: Port Hedland spared from destructive core as system makes landfall as a category four

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Cyclone Zelia: Port Hedland spared from destructive core as system makes landfall as a category four

Port Hedland has been spared from the destructive core of Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia, with the system making landfall as a category four system northeast of the WA town.

Cyclone Zelia crossed the coast near De Grey River mouth at 12.30pm on Friday.

Very destructive wind gusts of up to 270km/h and intense rainfall are likely close to the centre of the cyclone.

The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed the cyclone will “take a general southerly track overland and weaken”.

DFES has received 37 calls for assistance in the last two days, with Commissioner Darren Klemm saying the risks will not subside when the cyclone reduces in strength.

The DFES boss said it was critical that impacted communities “did not get complacent”, with an emergency warning still in place for Wallal Downs to Whim Creek, including Port Hedland, and extending inland to Marble Bar, Nullagine, Tom Price and Paraburdoo.

“The cyclone hazards won’t 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 power lines and debris.”

He said despite the system making landfall weaker than forecast, there was still a chance of deaths.

WA Premier Roger Cook said expecting major damage to structures in the cyclone’s path is expected.

“This is a really dangerous and big cyclone, and it’s one which is going to threaten the communities right across the Pilbara,” Mr Cook said.

“This is a serious storm and it’s one which is going to have a significant impact.

“Port Hedland is by and large older architecture.

“So it was built to a standard, but to a standard at the time that it was built. And so we’re expecting a certain amount of damage to them to occur as a result of these very high winds.”

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