WA Tropical Cyclone Warning: Broome to Whim Creek, including Port Hedland and not including Broome

Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 6:02 am WST on Wednesday 12 February 2025
Headline:

Tropical Cyclone Zelia to cause potential severe impact to the east Pilbara coast or adjacent Kimberley coast late Thursday into Friday.
Areas Affected:

Warning Zone
Broome to Whim Creek, including Port Hedland and not including Broome

Watch Zone
Whim Creek to Dampier, and inland to Marble Bar
Cancelled Zone

None.
Details of Tropical Cyclone Zelia 18U at 5:00 am AWST:

Intensity: Category 1, sustained winds near the centre of 85 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 120 kilometres per hour.

Location: within 55 kilometres of 17.7 degrees South 119.6 degrees East, estimated to be 280 kilometres west of Broome and 310 kilometres north northeast of Port Hedland.

Movement: south at 6 kilometres per hour.

Tropical Cyclone Zelia will move slowly to the south towards the east Pilbara coast. Zelia is likely to develop further to category 3 intensity before crossing the east Pilbara or adjacent west Kimberley coast most likely on Friday. The slow movement of the system is likely to produce very high rainfall totals near the track.
Hazards:

Gales with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120 kilometres per hour may develop along the coast between Broome (not including Broome) and Port Hedland later Wednesday. These DAMAGING WIND GUSTS may extend west to Dampier on Thursday, if the system moves further west than forecast.

DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS of up to 160 kilometres per hour may develop between Bidyadanga and Port Hedland on Thursday as Zelia moves closer to the coast.

From Wednesday night, HEAVY to LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING becomes likely across coastal and adjacent inland areas between Bidyadanga and Port Hedland. Otherwise isolated HEAVY RAINFALL is forecast along the coast Broome and Dampier. A Flood Watch is also current for catchments in the Pilbara and western Kimberley.

Residents between Port Hedland and Bidyadanga are specifically warned of the potential of a dangerous storm tide as the cyclone centre crosses the coast. Tides are likely to rise significantly above the normal high tide mark with damaging waves and dangerous flooding.
Recommended Action:

Ensure you know what to do in a cyclone. For the latest DFES community alerts and warnings visit www.emergency.wa.gov.au or download the Emergency WA app.

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