Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 11:16 am WST on Wednesday 12 February 2025
Headline:

Tropical Cyclone Zelia beginning to impact the east Pilbara coast and adjacent west Kimberley coast.
Areas Affected:
Warning Zone

Broome to Whim Creek, including Port Hedland and not including Broome, and extending inland to Marble Bar
Watch Zone

Whim Creek to Mardie and inland areas to Nullagine
Cancelled Zone

Bidyadanga to Broome .
Details of Tropical Cyclone Zelia 18U at 11:00 am AWST:

Intensity: Category 2, sustained winds near the centre of 95 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 130 kilometres per hour.

Location: within 30 kilometres of 18.7 degrees South 118.8 degrees East, estimated to be 180 kilometres north of Port Hedland and 175 kilometres north northwest of De Grey.

Movement: south southwest at 13 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 lead to very high rainfall totals near the track.
Hazards:

Gales with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120 kilometres per hour are developing near the coastal fringe between De Grey and Wallal Downs, during the rest of Wednesday these may extend to areas along the coast between Bidyadanga and Dampier, including Port Headland and Karratha. These DAMAGING WIND GUSTS may extend west to Mardie from late Thursday, if the system moves further west than forecast. DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120 kilometres per hour may also extend inland to Nullagine during Friday.

DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS of up to 160 kilometres per hour may develop between Whim Creek to Wallal Downs on Thursday as Zelia moves closer to the coast.

VERY DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS of up to 220 kilometres per hour may develop between Whim Creek to Wallal Downs on Thursday evening.

HEAVY to LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is likely from later Wednesday across coastal and adjacent inland areas between Whim Creek and Wallal Downs. Otherwise isolated HEAVY RAINFALL is forecast along the coast between Bidyadanga and Dampier, and extending inland to Nullagine during Thursday. 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 of some low-lying areas close to the shoreline.
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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