Cyclone Zelia downgraded but flood warnings issued for WA communities
Tropical cyclone Zelia has been downgraded but heavy rainfall continues to lash parts of northwest WA, where severe weather and emergency warnings remain in place.
Tropical cyclone Zelia has been downgraded but heavy rainfall continues to lash parts of northwest WA, where severe weather and emergency warnings remain in place.
This comes after Zelia made landfall earlier than expected at about 12.30pm local time on Friday as a powerful category 4 cyclone, about 50 kilometres east of Port Hedland on the northern Pilbara coast.
Intense wind gusts of up to 120 km/h were recorded at Port Hedland, where there were reports of property damage, road closures and fallen trees on Friday.
As of Saturday morning, Zelia had weakened and was below cyclone intensity.
However, its remnants continued to bring heavy rainfall as it sat over the inland Pilbara, prompting the Bureau of Meteorology to issue a severe weather warning about the rain and major flooding.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s Senior Meteorologist Angus Hines said Zelia had left flooding in parts of northwest WA and that the region could be hit with a further 120mm of rain over the next 24 hours.
“There’s likely to be continued flooding, which could have some pretty significant impacts for people in and around that Pilbara area in particular,” Mr Hines said.
Mr Hines said the rivers in the area were running “very, very high”, with a major flood warning issued for the De Grey River.
“There’s also some flood warnings for the Pilbara coastal rivers and parts of the Sandy Desert river catchments which extend into the Western Kimberley as well,” Mr Hines said.
“We’ve already seen extensive road closures through the Pilbara, and that’s likely to continue.
“People do need to stay in touch with what’s going on in and around the Pilbara area and continue to listen to and follow the advice from your local emergency services.”
A flood emergency warning for the community of Warralong was also issued by the WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday morning.
“Do not enter floodwater for Warralong,” the warning read.
“Heavy rainfall associated with Tropical Cyclone Zelia is resulting in river rises across the De Grey River catchment. Roads in the warning area may become impassable, and communities could be isolated.
“There is a threat to lives and homes. You must take action now as flooding is occurring. Water will be fast flowing and levels will rise quickly.”
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