A tropical cyclone lashing Western Australia’s northern coast has weakened, but not before leaving a path of destruction in its wake.
The category-one cyclone Hilda was downgraded to a tropical low on Thursday but it is still expected to bring damaging strong winds and possible flash flooding.
Trees were uprooted, streets flooded and boats cast onto dry land as gusts of up to 120km/h brought down powerlines and left residents running for cover.
A tropical cyclone lashing Western Australia’s northern coast has weakened, but not before leaving a path of destruction in its wake (pictured is Broome after the cyclone)
The category-one cyclone Hilda was downgraded to a tropical low on Thursday but it is still expected to bring damaging strong winds and possible flash flooding (pictured)
The cyclone formed on the coast just north of Broome (pictured) on Wednesday night before tracking south-southwest
The cyclone formed on the coast just north of Broome on Wednesday night before tracking south-southwest.
Residents and holidaymakers were forced to bunker down, with winds gusts of up to 120km/h thrashing the coastal town.
Police Sergeant Jennifer Boyle said residents suffered through a sleepless night as the cyclone hit, Weatherzone reported.
‘When the storm front hit us it definitely felt a lot more intense than had been predicted,’ she said.
Trees were uprooted, streets flooded and boats cast onto dry land as gusts of up to 120km/h brought down powerlines and left residents running for cover
Residents and holidaymakers were forced to bunker down, with winds gusts of up to 120km/h thrashing the coastal town
‘This morning it looks like a bit of a war zone. There’s lot of debris, branches and leaves everywhere, and a few major trees have fallen through the night.’
One Broome resident, Judy Brittain, said the wild weather had brought snakes out into the open.
‘I’ve seen a couple of tree snakes, luckily they weren’t our king browns, but I think the snakes are on the move too,’ she said.
Forecasters say the danger has now passed for people between the Wallal and Bidyadanga areas.
Police Sergeant Jennifer Boyle said residents suffered through a sleepless night as the cyclone hit
One Broome resident, Judy Brittain, said the wild weather had brought snakes out into the open
Gales are no longer expected, but heavy rain and squally thunderstorms bringing damaging winds gusting up to 100 km/h are possible.
The strongest winds are forecast over the far eastern Pilbara and northwest Interior for the rest of Thursday and Friday morning, as the system moves south.
It may cause damage to homes and properties and the Bureau of Meteorology also predicts heavy rain may cause flash flooding over the warning area.
Areas that may be affected include Parnngurr and Telfer.
Heavy rain has pelted the west Kimberley region since Tuesday and the system has produced gusts of up to 120 km/h
Conditions are expected to ease from the north on Friday.
Heavy rain has pelted the west Kimberley region since Tuesday and the system has produced gusts of up to 120 km/h.
Both Bidyadanga and the Kimberley’s Eco Beach Resort have suffered structural and vegetation damage but no injuries have been reported.
Both Bidyadanga and the Kimberley’s Eco Beach Resort have suffered structural and vegetation damage but no injuries have been reported