Tropical Cyclone Zelia set to hammer down on Australia’s west coast TONIGHT bringing 500mm of rain and 300km/h winds – with thousands told it’s too late to leave

A destructive cyclone is impacting the Australian coast hours earlier than expected, unleashing 290km/h winds and 500mm of rain. 

Tropical Cyclone Zelia is crossing Western Australia’s Pilbara coast east of Port Hedland as a category five system amid fears of ‘catastrophic damage’.

However, authorities confirmed the major mining hub of Port Hedland was likely to be spared the worst of the cyclone’s impact.

Zelia was initially set to hit the region late on Friday with shops, schools, roads and ports in WA’s northwest closed in preparation and locals warned to take shelter.

But authorities confirmed Zelia had crossed hours earlier than predicted, bringing damaging winds, flooding and heavy rainfall.

The cyclone crossed 65km east of Port Hedland just after noon today, local time, travelling faster (11km/h) than authorities had warned.

Port Hedland is the second largest Pilbara town, home to more than 15,000 people.

‘We’ve got a whole raft of resources ready to go should they be required … for really catastrophic damage,’ WA Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm said.

Tropical Cyclone Zelia is crossing Western Australia ‘s Pilbara coast east of Port Hedland as a category five system amid fears of ‘catastrophic damage’ (an infrared map is pictured)

A destructive cyclone is impacting the Australian coast hours earlier than expected, unleashing 290km/h winds and 500mm of rain (pictured, damage in Port Hedland)

‘It is critical that impacted communities don’t get complacent because the hazards won’t ease once the cyclone has passed.

‘Conditions after a cyclone can be just as dangerous as the cyclone itself, including damaged buildings, fallen powerlines and debris.

‘It is extremely important that people remain indoors until the warnings change on Emergency WA.’

WA Premier Roger Cook earlier confirmed the Australian Defence Force was on standby to assist, with Zelia triggering destructive wind gusts of up to 290km/h, intense rainfall and flash flooding.

Port Hedland, which had been fearing the worst after the category five Cyclone Ilsa system struck in 2023, claiming eight lives, was expected to dodge a bullet.

‘Port Hedland is not expected to be impacted by the very destructive winds,’ the Bureau of Meteorology’s Matt Collopy said.

‘This is a very dangerous system that will cause significant impacts.’

Port Hedland Deputy Mayor Ash Christensen said there had been an ‘eerie sort of feeling’ around the community as residents waited for the cyclone to strike.

However, authorities confirmed the major mining hub of Port Hedland was likely to be spared the worst of the cyclone’s impact (pictured, a dark sky ahead of the cyclone’s arrival)

‘We put a brave face on but I think everyone, deep down inside are a little bit worried about this one,’ he told AAP.

Zelia rapidly intensified as it zeroed in on Australia’s coast, developing from a category three to a five in 24 hours – progress experts claimed was ‘highly unusual’.

Evacuation centres have been set up at Karratha and South Hedland, with major highways near Port Hedland and regional airports closed.

The region has already recorded totals of more than 300mm and meteorologist Angus Hines said the system was expected to be very damaging.

‘It is a category five system – just a reminder, category five is the top of the scale,’ he said.

‘It does not get any worse than that, extremely damaging and destructive winds, widespread, rain, flooding and storm surge are all expected.’

Port Hedland local Glen Bedford said machinery and conveyor belts at the port had been tied down since Wednesday afternoon. 

‘The shops are empty, all water is gone, canned goods are gone and there is always a line at the bottle shop before a cyclone,’ Bedford said.

‘Everyone is now locked in their house, no one is allowed out on the streets and I think you get a fine if you get caught out driving around.’

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