Residents of Western Australia’s remote Pilbara region are beginning the arduous task of cleaning up and assessing damage after severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia barreled through the area. The powerful category 4 storm made landfall near the town of Port Hedland, battering communities with destructive winds and torrential rain.
While Zelia has since been downgraded to a tropical low as it tracks further inland, the system is still dumping heavy rain across the Pilbara, exacerbating flooding. Major roads have been cut off by floodwaters, including the critical supply route of Northwest Coastal Highway between Port Hedland and Broome.
Emergency Warnings Remain in Effect
The danger is far from over for Pilbara residents as rain and flooding continue in Zelia’s wake. Emergency warnings are still active for the towns of Warralong and Marble Bar, and authorities caution that flood conditions may persist into next week.
Heavy rain and flooding is not expected to subside until next week.
— Darren Klemm, WA Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner
The DeGrey River is of particular concern, with the weather bureau warning it could reach the highest flood levels seen in 25 years. Peaks are approaching the 2013 record of 8.61 meters and could potentially hit 8.86 meters.
Damage Assessment Begins Amid Isolation Fears
As emergency crews start to evaluate the destruction left by Zelia, there are concerns some remote communities may be left isolated for days. Road closures have severed key supply lines, threatening to limit availability of essential goods like food and fuel.
The full extent of the damage across the vast Pilbara is not yet known. While authorities have thankfully reported no deaths or injuries at this stage, the coming days will paint a clearer picture as personnel can access more areas.
Recovering From Zelia’s Wrath
For Pilbara locals, the process of rebuilding from Cyclone Zelia is just beginning. It will likely take significant time and resources to restore normalcy to the region, especially for those in the hardest-hit communities.
- Restoring critical infrastructure like power, water, and communications will be a top priority.
- Supplies may need to be airlifted to cut-off towns until roads can be cleared and repaired.
- Homes, businesses, and public facilities will require repairs, with some facing major structural damage.
State and federal assistance will be crucial to support affected residents and help the region get back on its feet. In the face of such a powerful force of nature, the resilience of the Pilbara community will surely be tested in the aftermath of Cyclone Zelia.
