By Savannah Meacham and Sarah Brookes
A tropical cyclone rapidly approaching the WA coast is now expected to cross the coast on Friday afternoon after decaying overnight.
It was about 435km northwest of Broome on Thursday night, but has weakened throughout Good Friday and is expected to cross the Kimberley coastline as a tropical low.
Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Angus Hines warned destructive wind gusts and heavy rain could hit the region.
“The crossing point is likely to occur north of Broome, north of Dampier Peninsula, even somewhere between Kuri Bay and Cockatoo Island,” he said.
“We’ve still got a tropical cyclone warning in place that covers that crossing location and a little bit further north up towards the Mitchell Plateau as well with gale force winds felt in some of these areas already.
“That is expected to continue today, and there will be some heavy rainfall.”
Isolated heavy rainfall with falls of up to 200mm is also possible between Kuri Bay and Broome and tides may rise above the normal high tide mark.
Authorities are urging people to get ready for dangerous weather by preparing their homes and securing items, including boats and caravans.
Travellers, visitors, tourists and locals should monitor weather conditions and review their travel within the warning area over the Easter long weekend, a Department of Fire and Emergency Services alert said on Thursday.
Roads and tracks on and around the Dampier Peninsula could become impassable or close with little notice.
Northern WA has already had one cyclone this season as ex-tropical cyclone Sean reached a category three but steered away from the coastline.
It brought wind gusts of 104km/h and heavy rainfall, with Karratha copping 274mm in 24 hours, exceeding its highest annual rain record.
Flooding was reported in some communities and trees fell on properties and cars during the storm.
AAP