Residents pick up the pieces after Cyclone Zelia rocks WA

Flood threats persist for regional communities in the wake of a powerful cyclone that tore through Western Australia’s north.

Tropical Cyclone Zelia brought heavy rain and damaging winds after crossing the coast near Port Hedland as a category four on Friday, before weakening to a tropical low as it tracks south.

No deaths or injuries were reported as alert communities escaped the worst of the severe weather, the state government and emergency agencies confirmed.

River levels have begun to ease in the Pilbara region but the flood threat has not completely passed.

A major flood peak was observed along the De Grey River at Coolenar Pool, east of Port Hedland, early on Sunday morning. The river level was at 8.98 metres and above the flood levels of March 2000.

The river level was falling slowly, but renewed rises are possible as floodwaters arrive from upstream. Major flooding was also recorded along the Nullagine River at Nullagine and Tumbinna Pool, and along the Coongan River at Marble Bar and Marble Bar Road Crossing.

A flood watch remains for the Fortescue, Ashburton and Gascoyne Rivers, while a major flood warning for the De Grey River catchment was in place on Sunday morning, the Bureau of Meteorology said.

The bureau had issued a flood watch and act for the De Grey catchment, including Marble Bar and Nullagine on Sunday, warning residents to prepare for isolation. A flood warning was also in place for the Pilbara Coastal Rivers.

Emergency crews in WA are assessing the damage. A local State Emergency Services crew said there was “massive” tree damage across Port Hedland.

“Currently at this stage we are surveying remote communities to ensure we cover off on their needs,” he said.

Now downgraded to a tropical low, the weather system is bringing record rainfall as it moves through Western Australia, sparking fears of major flooding.Credit: DFES WA

“There are probably 60-80 people on site from local and Perth assisting in the recovery operation, but the downgraded weather system is still dumping significant rain on parts of the Pilbara region, exacerbating flooding.”

Major roads have flooded, cutting off critical connections for supply deliveries including the Northwest Coastal Highway between Port Hedland and Broome.

“We’re working closely with the major supermarkets to ensure the Pilbara and Kimberley remain well-supplied while the road closures are in place,” WA Premier Roger Cook said on Saturday.

On Sunday, the Premier said he would visit the cyclone-hit region soon and warned of dangerous flooding.

“I’ll go up there as soon as I can just to provide you with an update in terms of the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone,” he said.

“The evacuation has now been completed and so all those residents have now been flown to Port Hedland for to stay at the evacuation centre.

“The floodwaters in the De Grey catchment have not yet reached peak, so it’s clearly still a very dangerous situation up there, and we urge everyone to be very cautious around any flood incidents.”

WA Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm warned heavy rain and flooding was not expected to subside until next week.

Resident Trent Collins described the roaring winds “like a 747 jumbo jet right outside the front door”.

Fellow resident Peter Roth agreed.

“I think we definitely dodged a bullet,” he said.

“Especially for all the trees and stuff that that came down; if it had hit straight on, I think it would have been a lot worse.”

AAP with Nine News Perth