Thousands brace for ‘destructive’ cyclone

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Cyclones of category three are marked by extremely destructive winds, substantial harm to crops and trees, and probable power outages, as per the Bureau of Meteorology.

The Bureau of Meteorology said Zelia could impact the Pilbara coast or the west Kimberley coast as late as Saturday if it tracks further west than the current forecast suggests.

Cyclone Zelia was a category two on Wednesday night, brewing approximately 30kms north of Port Hedland and intensifying as it slowly moved south-southwest at 14kms per hour.

Gales near the centre of 62mph with gusts to 87mph.

Destructive wind gusts of up to 100 to 137 knots could develop between Whim Creek to Wallal Downs by Thursday evening.

"The system's moving pretty slowly, so coastal areas could experience increased wind speeds for an extended period due to the slow movement of the system," DFES commissioner Darren Klemm said at a press conference on Wednesday.

“The highest risk area for a coastal crossing is between Karratha and Wallal Downs, which includes Port Hedland, from late on Thursday right through to Friday night.”

The WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services issued a cyclone alert message around 4pm AWST on Wednesday afternoon.

Residents south of Bidyadanga to Mardie and inland to Nullagine, as well as islands off the West Kimberley and Pilbara coast, have been told to "get ready" for hazardous weather.

Main highways in the area are expected to be shut down to help keep residents safe ahead of the weather event, including the Great Northern Highway.

“Folks and visitors to the area need to be aware of that, and it could occur on Thursday”, Kimberley Superintendent Leon Gardiner told the ABC.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has also issued flood warnings for the Pilbara Coastal Rivers, Onslow Coast, Fortescue River, Ashburton River catchments and parts of the Sandy Desert.