Tropical Cyclone Zelia will cross Western Australia’s shores as a category three system

Residents are gearing up for days of wild weather as Tropical Cyclone Zelia is expected to cross the coast over the coming days.

Tropical cyclone Zelia has formed off the Western Australian coast and is expected to make landfall as a category three system on Thursday or Friday.

Very destructive winds, significant damage to crops and trees, and likely power failures are some of the characteristics of category three cyclones, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

The BOM said Zelia could impact the Pilbara coast or the west Kimberley coast even as late as Saturday if it moves further west than the current forecast.

Cyclone Zelia was a category two on Wednesday night, brewing around 30km north of Port Hedland and intensifying as it slowly moved south-southwest at 14km/h.

Winds near the centre of 100km/h with wind gusts to 140km/h.

Tropical Cyclone Zelia is expected to hit the Western Australian coast as a category three cyclone. Picture: BOM

Destructive wind gusts of anywhere from 160km/h to 220km/h could develop between Whim Creek to Wallal Downs by Thursday evening.

“It is slow moving, so coastal parts could see elevated wind speeds for a prolonged period because of the slow motion of the system,” DFES commissioner Darren Klemm told a press conference on Wednesday.

“The highest risk area for a coastal crossing is between Karratha and Wallal Downs, which includes Port Hedland, from late on Thursday right through to Friday night.”.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services issued a cyclone advice alert just after 4pm AWST on Wednesday.

Residents south of Bidyadanga to Mardie and inland to Nullagine, as well as islands off the West Kimberley and Pilbara coast, have been warned to “prepare now” for dangerous weather.

Major highways in the region are expected to close to protect residents in anticipation of the weather event, including the Great Northern Highway.

“People and travellers in the region need to be mindful of that, and it could happen Thursday”, Kimberley Superintendent Leon Gardiner told theABC.

The DFES has also issued flood warnings for Pilbara Coastal Rivers, Onslow Coast, Fortescue River, Ashburton River catchments and parts of Sandy Desert.

Originally published as Tropical Cyclone Zelia will cross Western Australia’s shores as a category three system