14/02/2025
Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia, a category 5 cyclone, is moving to the south south-east and is to make landfall this afternoon near or to the east of Port Hedland.
Intense rainfall is expected near and to the east of the centre of the cyclone as it crosses the coast.
Very destructive wind gusts of up to 290km/hr are likely close to the centre of the cyclone as it crosses the coast. Destructive wind gusts of up to 160 kilometres per hour are likely to develop in coastal areas between De Grey to Whim Creek, including Port Hedland, later this morning.
Heavy to locally intense rainfall which may lead to flash flooding is likely today across coastal and adjacent inland areas between Wallal Downs and Karratha, extending inland to Nullagine and Tom Price by early Saturday. Flood Watches and Warnings are also current for catchments in the Pilbara, western Kimberley and northern Gascoyne.
Residents in Port Hedland and east to Wallal Downs are specifically warned of the potential of a dangerous storm tide as the cyclone centre crosses the coast. However, the more recent motion to the south-east decreases the risk of the storm tide at Port Hedland for the noon high today. Tides are likely to rise significantly above the normal high tide mark with damaging waves and dangerous flooding of some low-lying areas close to the shoreline.
For the latest tropical cyclone warnings and the Tropical cyclone 7 day forecast, visit www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/
