In a harrowing turn of events, the monstrous Tropical Cyclone Zelia has slammed into the coast of Western Australia as an extremely dangerous Category 5 system. Packing maximum sustained winds of 290 km/h, Zelia is unleashing its fury across the Pilbara region, placing tens of thousands of lives and homes in grave danger.
Destructive Winds and Torrential Rain Batter Pilbara Coast
Zelia made its catastrophic landfall 65 km east of the major mining hub of Port Hedland just after noon local time on Friday. The cyclone is currently tracking south over the eastern Pilbara, maintaining its Category 5 intensity with wind gusts up to 250 km/h. The warning zone extends from Wallal Downs to Whim Creek and inland to Marble Bar, placing a vast swath of the region in the crosshairs of this monstrous storm.
“Category five is the top of the scale. It does not get any worse than that,” warned Angus Hines, a meteorologist with the Bureau of Meteorology. “We’re expecting destructive winds near the crossing point, we could see wind gusts of 300 km/h. It’s hard to fathom how strong that is, but it can take out trees, power lines and completely destroy properties and houses.”
– Angus Hines, Bureau of Meteorology
In addition to the devastating winds, Zelia is also unleashing torrential rainfall, with some areas expected to receive up to 500 mm over the coming days. Major flood warnings have been issued, and residents are bracing for potentially catastrophic flash flooding.
“Everyone is Locked in Their House” as Zelia’s Wrath Unfolds
As the cyclone bears down on the Pilbara with its full Category 5 might, those in its path are hunkering down and praying they can ride out the storm. Port Hedland local Glen Bedford described an eerie scene of dark skies and empty streets.
“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,” Bedford said, as he remained stuck in his home with a toilet that had flooded through the ceiling from the pounding rains and howling 90 km/h winds.
– Glen Bedford, Port Hedland resident
More than 10,000 sandbags have been distributed across the region as residents frantically work to protect their properties from the impending deluge. Evacuation centers have been opened in Port Hedland and Karratha to provide shelter to those forced to flee their homes.
Region Braces for Catastrophic Damage and Disruption
Zelia’s impact is expected to be nothing short of catastrophic, with the potential for utter devastation across this critical mining region. Major highways and roads are already becoming submerged as the flooding picks up pace. Authorities have closed more than 20 schools and shuttered the Port of Port Hedland, the world’s largest bulk export terminal, in anticipation of the cyclone’s wrath.
“We have teams deployed in Carnarvon already so that they can access the area quickly,” said WA Premier Roger Cook. While emergency crews are on alert, he emphasized that it is now too late for anyone in the warning area to leave. “There is a threat to lives and homes. You are in danger and need to act immediately.”
– Roger Cook, Premier of Western Australia
Officials warn that even after Zelia moves through, dangers will remain extreme. Shredded infrastructure, downed power lines, fallen trees, and significant flooding are likely to impact the area for days if not weeks to come.
Echoes of Cyclone George’s Destruction
For many residents, the terror of Severe Tropical Cyclone George in 2007 still lingers in their memories. Considered one of the most powerful cyclones to ever hit Australia, George utterly devastated the Pilbara town of Port Hedland.
“George was pretty hairy … I remember waking up in the middle of the night and the fence blew open, so me and my dad had to go fix [it] and as we were out there … there was a tree rolling down the road. Like a full, whole tree,” Port Hedland local Steven Wright recalled of the harrowing night George tore through.
– Steven Wright, Port Hedland resident
With Zelia now bearing down on the region as an equally monstrous Category 5 system, fears are growing that history may be about to repeat itself in a truly devastating way.
Tracking Zelia: A Long Night Ahead
As night falls across Western Australia, Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia continues to unleash its fury across the Pilbara. Howling winds, torrential rain, and the ominous threat of storm surge and flash flooding will plague the region throughout the night.
While Port Hedland may have avoided a direct hit from Zelia’s inner core, the city is still being buffeted by 100 km/h winds and drenching rains. To the east, communities like Pardoo, Wallal Downs, and Marble Bar are facing the full force of this catastrophic cyclone.
Throughout the long night ahead, all residents can do is shelter in place, pray for the best, and prepare for the long and difficult recovery that lies ahead. Zelia has slammed into Western Australia as a worst-case scenario Category 5 cyclone, and it will likely leave a trail of utter devastation in its wake.
As the world watches this disaster unfold, the people of Western Australia will once again prove their resilience in the face of nature’s fury. For now, the focus remains on survival as Cyclone Zelia’s rampage continues.
