Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 9:31 am WST on Friday 14 February 2025

Flood Watch Number: 7

HEAVY TO LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL ASSOCIATED WITH SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE ZELIA IS EXPECTED TO CAUSE RAPID RIVER LEVEL RISES AND WIDESPREAD AREAS OF FLOODING FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON

Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia is expected to make landfall near or just east of Port Hedland Friday afternoon. Heavy rainfall is expected along the coast and adjacent inland areas during Friday. Rainfall will become intense near and to the east of the centre of the cyclone as it crosses the coast. This rainfall will cause rapid river level rises and widespread flooding across the flood watch area.

A Tropical Cyclone Advice is current for Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia.

Flood warning are also current for the De Grey River and Pilbara Coastal Rivers catchments.

Catchments across the Flood Watch area, particularly towards the coast, have become wet with recent rainfall.

Widespread heavy to locally intense rainfall is forecast during Friday across coastal and adjacent inland areas, extending to further inland in the the Flood Watch area during the weekend.

The areas of heaviest rainfall will be dependent of the track of Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia.

Forecast rainfall is expected to result in widespread areas of flooding and rapid river and stream level rises across the Flood Watch area. Areas of flooding may adversely affect road conditions and some communities may become isolated. Significant disruption of transportation network and extensive road closures are possible.

Catchments likely to be affected include:

Fortescue River

Onslow Coast

Ashburton River

Gascoyne River

Sandy Desert

Flood Warnings are current for the De Grey River and Pilbara Coastal Rivers catchments.

This flood watch is available by dialling 1300 659 213. For more information on the Flood Watch Service visit http://www.bom.gov.au/water/floods/floodWarningServices.shtml

Flood Safety Advice:
DFES advises people and communities to be aware that flooding is possible and be prepared to relocate equipment and livestock. Watch water levels. Travellers need to be aware that road conditions may be adversely affected and travel plans may need to be reconsidered. Do not drive into water of unknown depth and velocity.

Community information is available from DFES at www.emergency.wa.gov.au/

Current river levels are available from Department of Water and Environmental Regulation at www.water.wa.gov.au/maps-and-data/monitoring/river-level-monitoring

Rainfall and River Conditions Map