Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 5:35 am WST on Monday 20 January 2025

Headline:
Severe Tropical Cyclone Sean category 3, impacting the western Pilbara coast during Monday.

Areas Affected:
Warning zone: Mardie to Ningaloo, including Onslow and Exmouth.

Watch zone: None.

Cancelled zone: Mardie to Whim Creek, including Dampier and Karratha.

Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Sean 11U at 5:00 am AWST:
Intensity: Category 3, sustained winds near the centre of 130 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 185 kilometres per hour.
Location: within 25 kilometres of 20.6 degrees South 113.1 degrees East, estimated to be 185 kilometres northwest of Exmouth and 240 kilometres west northwest of Onslow.
Movement: west southwest at 17 kilometres per hour.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Sean will continue moving west this morning, parallel to the Pilbara coast, and strengthen. Once it is west of the Pilbara later this morning it will turn to the southwest and move away from the coast.

Hazards:
HEAVY to LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is possible between Mardie and North West Cape for the remainder of today. A Flood Watch has been issued for the Pilbara.

DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS to 150 km/h may occur about the North West Cape early this morning, if the cyclone tracks a little further south than forecast.

GALES with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120 km/h are occurring at coastal and island communities between Ningaloo and Mardie, including Onslow and Exmouth.

As the cyclone moves westwards, parallel to the north WA coast, a storm tide is forecast between Onslow and Exmouth during Monday afternoon's high tide. 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 emergency.wa.gov.au or download the Emergency WA app.



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