Cyclone yellow alert issued as Ilsa intensifies off WA coast

The yellow alert comes before Tropical Cyclone Ilsa is expected to make landfall some time late Thursday or early Friday, with concern for caravans still in the area.

A cyclone yellow alert has been issued for a now a category 3 cyclone bearing down on Western Australia’s northern coast.

Tropical Cyclone Ilsa rapidly intensified over Wednesday, with the state’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) issuing the yellow alert at 3.51pm, as the system continues to strengthen.

The alert upgrade from blue to yellow means those in the warning area need to act now in order to stay safe.

It covers the coastal area from Bidyadanga to De Drey, while a blue alert has been extended inland as far as the Gibson Desert North.

Ilsa is still on track to make landfall some time late on Thursday or early Friday, directly impacting the communities in and around De Grey, Wallal Downs, Eighty Mile Beach, and the Pardoo Roadhouse.

DFES issued the yellow alert at 3.51pm Wednesday covering an area from Bidyadanga to De Grey, while the blue alert area has been extended inland to Great Gibson Desert North.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said as of Wednesday afternoon, sustained winds near the centre of the cyclone reached 120 km/h, with wind gusts to 165 km/h.

It’s tracking about 370km northwest of Broome, and 500km north of Port Hedland, travelling west southwest at seven km/h.

BOM also predicts it will reach category 4 on Thursday morning.

Tropical Cyclone Ilsa intensified to a category 3 on Wednesday afternoon, a day before it's expected to make landfall.

Wild weather from Ilsa will also affect the towns of Broome and Port Headland, to either side of Ilsa’s predicted coastal crossing, and inland communities as far from the coast as the mining town of Telfer.

There’s also concern for two caravan parks along Eighty Mile Beach, with DFES Commissioner Darren Klemm urging those still there on Wednesday morning to get out that same day.

“I’d like to see those caravan sites cleared. There are still 60 caravans at 80 Mile. I would urge them to get out now,” Commissioner Klemm said.

Cable Beach, Broome, on Wednesday morning as TC Ilsa moves down the coast. Picture: Kirk Spencer / Facebook

Sky News meteorologist Bradlyn Oakes said the cyclone was creating a heavy rain system which has struck land already

“It’s currently bringing quite heavy precipitation to coastal areas, we’re watching those rain gauges continue to tick up,” Ms Oakes said.

“Gusting winds around the centre of this storm system, bringing the potential to storm surges and flash flooding as well as potential for thunderstorms.

“As it continues to make its way across the coastline and then into interior areas of the country, we’re likely to see it intensify to a category 4 storm, which can bring winds over 200km which can be quite damaging.”