Australian emergency services warned of potential threats to life and issued shelters and evacuation warnings as cyclones are scheduled to land.
Category 5 tropical cyclones – the strongest on a scale with the ability to cause widespread destruction – stagnates in Western Australia’s Pilbara coastal region, Australia’s weather service has been closed, and ports are closed, and emergency services are being administered. The Weather Service warned that it was blocking potential damage.
Zelia is moving slowly, and is scheduled to land on Friday in the region, home to the main port used to export goods containing iron ore, and is also a processing hub for oil and gas supply.
“The strength of the tropical Cyclone Zelia means there is a major threat to life and property, and I urge people to follow the instructions of Pilbara’s emergency services,” Thursday.
The Meteorological Bureau said the cyclone is likely to land near Port Hedland, the world’s largest export point for iron ore. Port Hedland is particularly at risk from cyclone damage due to the very old building, Clem said.
The maximum wind speed for Category 5 storms is above 280 km/h (174 mph), James Ashley, the station’s Western Australia manager, told a press conference.
Currently, Category 5 serious tropical #Cyclonezelia brings extremely destructive winds and extremely heavy rain to the Pilbara coast.
Latest: https://t.co/4kfwwiahr3 pic.twitter.com/gailxl9wye
– February 13th, 2025, Australian Weather Bureau (@bom_au)
In a video published by the station explaining the situation, weather forecaster Dean Narramore predicted heavy downpours in the coming hours due to the area’s already recorded rainfall of 80-100mm (3.1-3.9 inches). He said that it will be done.
“And that’s likely to lead to widespread flashes and river flooding,” Narramore said.
“That’s why we are very concerned about our residents through this part of the Pilbara coast,” he said.
“It’s an intense and dangerous system,” he said.
Fire and Emergency Services in the area issued a statement that Cyclone Zelia raised “possible threats to life and homes” and urged people to take shelter. People living in the caravan, old or unmaintained homes, were encouraged to move to the nearest evacuation centre.
Following the warning, ports on Dampia and Baranus were scheduled to close from 6pm local time on Thursday (10:00 GMT).
Convection bursts occur within the intense tropical cyclone Zelia as they slow down to crawls near Australia’s northwest coast. pic.twitter.com/x0yin0fbs4
– Cira (@cira_csu) February 12, 2025
