Bureau of Meteorology warns of destructive winds and heavy rainfall as residents seek shelter
Tropical Cyclone Zelia Hits Northwest Australia with Category 4 Force
Tropical Cyclone Zelia Hits Northwest Australia with Category 4 Force
Severe weather sweeps through critical mining regions, prompting emergency responses
Tropical Cyclone Zelia struck the northwest coast of Australia on Friday afternoon, bringing with it catastrophic winds and torrential rain to a critical region known for its mining operations and ports. Residents in the area have been advised to remain indoors for safety as the storm approached.
Making landfall at 12:30 p.m. local time, Zelia came ashore about 34 miles northeast of Port Hedland, a town with a population of approximately 15,000 situated in the arid Pilbara region, which houses some of the largest iron ore mines globally. According to the U.S. Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center, the cyclone was delivering winds measuring up to 132 miles per hour, categorizing it as a Category 4 hurricane equivalent.
A tropical cyclone alert has been enacted from Wallal Downs to Roebourne, extending roughly 150 miles from the town of Port Hedland. Meteorologist Miriam Bradbury indicated that the region could face intense rain, flash flooding, and wind gusts potentially reaching 100 miles per hour, with estimates for stronger winds of up to 180 miles per hour closer to the cyclone's eye, posing a severe threat to trees and structures.
Officials advised Port Hedland residents to take cover, highlighting the importance of keeping clear of windows and doors. Additionally, numerous roads and schools in the vicinity have been shuttered due to anticipated flooding. The Bureau of Meteorology indicated that while Port Hedland is expected to avoid the cyclone's most destructive core, significant impacts were still expected.
In preparation for the severe weather, major ports in the Pilbara region—key players in the global iron ore market, which supplies nearly 40 percent of worldwide demand—were shut down. Port Hedland ceased operations on Wednesday, with Dampier Port, related to Rio Tinto’s mining activities, and the Port of Varanus Island, a hub for oil processing, halting operations by Thursday.
Although forecasts predict that Cyclone Zelia will weaken as it travels inland over the weekend, heavy downpours remain anticipated as it advances southward, necessitating ongoing emergency responses and vigilance from residents and officials alike.
Making landfall at 12:30 p.m. local time, Zelia came ashore about 34 miles northeast of Port Hedland, a town with a population of approximately 15,000 situated in the arid Pilbara region, which houses some of the largest iron ore mines globally. According to the U.S. Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center, the cyclone was delivering winds measuring up to 132 miles per hour, categorizing it as a Category 4 hurricane equivalent.
A tropical cyclone alert has been enacted from Wallal Downs to Roebourne, extending roughly 150 miles from the town of Port Hedland. Meteorologist Miriam Bradbury indicated that the region could face intense rain, flash flooding, and wind gusts potentially reaching 100 miles per hour, with estimates for stronger winds of up to 180 miles per hour closer to the cyclone's eye, posing a severe threat to trees and structures.
Officials advised Port Hedland residents to take cover, highlighting the importance of keeping clear of windows and doors. Additionally, numerous roads and schools in the vicinity have been shuttered due to anticipated flooding. The Bureau of Meteorology indicated that while Port Hedland is expected to avoid the cyclone's most destructive core, significant impacts were still expected.
In preparation for the severe weather, major ports in the Pilbara region—key players in the global iron ore market, which supplies nearly 40 percent of worldwide demand—were shut down. Port Hedland ceased operations on Wednesday, with Dampier Port, related to Rio Tinto’s mining activities, and the Port of Varanus Island, a hub for oil processing, halting operations by Thursday.
Although forecasts predict that Cyclone Zelia will weaken as it travels inland over the weekend, heavy downpours remain anticipated as it advances southward, necessitating ongoing emergency responses and vigilance from residents and officials alike.
