Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 8:48 am WST on Thursday 13 February 2025

Headline:
Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia intensifying and slow moving north of Port Hedland; to bring very destructive winds and very heavy rain to the Pilbara coast.

Areas Affected:
Warning Zone
Bidyadanga to Dampier, including Port Hedland, Karratha and Dampier, and extending inland to Marble Bar

Watch Zone
Dampier to Mardie and inland areas to Nullagine and Tom Price

Cancelled Zone
None.

Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia 18U at 8:00 am AWST:
Intensity: Category 4, sustained winds near the centre of 185 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 260 kilometres per hour.

Location: within 20 kilometres of 19.0 degrees South 118.1 degrees East, estimated to be 155 kilometres north northwest of Port Hedland and 235 kilometres northeast of Karratha.

Movement: slow moving.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia (category 4) is intensifying rapidly and now expected to reach category 5 intensity today. It is forecast to remain slow moving to the north of Port Hedland today before moving south to the coast on Friday. Zelia is forecast to bring destructive wind gusts to communities on the Pilbara coast from as early as later tonight but more likely Friday as Zelia nears the coast. The very destructive inner core of the cyclone will most likely cross the coast between Karratha and De Grey (near Port Hedland) on Friday afternoon or night, although a later crossing further west is possible. Heavy rainfall is expected on the coast during the next couple of days and falls will be intense near and to the east of the centre of the cyclone as it crosses the coast.

Hazards:
Gales with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120 kilometres per hour are developing near the coastal fringe between De Grey and Whim Creek, including Port Hedland. Gales may extend later today to other areas along the coast between Bidyadanga and Dampier, including Karratha. These DAMAGING WIND GUSTS may extend west to Mardie during Friday, if the system moves further west. DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120 kilometres per hour may also extend inland to Nullagine and Tom Price from later Friday.

DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS of up to 160 kilometres per hour may develop for coastal and island areas between Whim Creek to Wallal Downs including Port Hedland later tonight as Zelia moves closer to the coast. DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS are more likely from Friday between De Grey and Mardie including Karratha, Dampier and Port Hedland as Zelia tracks towards the coast.

VERY DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS of up to 290 kilometres per hour are likely close to the centre of the cyclone as it crosses the coast.

HEAVY to LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is likely during today across coastal and adjacent inland areas between Whim Creek and Bidyadanga, extending west to Mardie and inland to Nullagine during Friday. Otherwise isolated HEAVY RAINFALL is also forecast along the coast between Bidyadanga and Dampier, and inland to Nullagine today. A Flood Watch is also current for catchments in the Pilbara, western Kimberley and northern Gascoyne.

Residents between Karratha and Bidyadanga including Port Hedland 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 of some low-lying areas close to the shoreline.

As Zelia approaches the coast, a storm tide is expected between Wallal Downs and Port Hedland during Thursday and into Friday. Large waves may produce minor flooding along the foreshore. People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to help their neighbours.

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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