Cyclone Zelia Set to Make Landfall in Western Australia’s Pilbara Region
The Pilbara area of Western Australia is bracing for the onslaught of Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia, which is projected to make landfall on Friday as a Category 5 storm.
Cyclone Zelia, which is now moving at a slow six kilometres per hour, is gaining intensity as it approaches Port Hedland, a crucial center of Australia’s iron ore sector, some 120 kilometers away.
When Will Cyclone Zelia Hit?
Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia is forecast to reach the coastline between Karratha and De Grey on Friday afternoon or evening, around 5–6 PM, as a Category 5 system.
Destructive winds may begin as early as Thursday night as the cyclone maintains its course near the Pilbara coast. The storm is expected to bring intense rainfall and flooding, particularly in and east of its eye. Wind gusts could reach up to 290 km/h, with some areas potentially receiving up to 500 millimeters of rain.
Areas at Risk
Authorities have described the cyclone’s movement as unpredictable. According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), Zelia is currently shifting westward and may pass closer to Whim Creek rather than directly over Port Hedland, as initially projected.
Why Has Cyclone Zelia Strengthened?
Zelia rapidly intensified into a Category 5 cyclone on Thursday due to a combination of warm sea temperatures, high moisture levels, low-level winds, and slow movement—all ideal conditions for strengthening tropical systems.
Government Response and Warnings
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) has issued a Watch and Act alert for communities between Whim Creek and Eighty Mile Beach. This alert is expected to escalate to an emergency warning by Friday, requiring residents to remain indoors for their safety.
In preparation, the Port Hedland port, schools, and important routes in the area have all been blocked. DFES has sent over 40 staff to help with emergency response activities, and flood rescue boats have been sent to the area to aid with the predicted major flooding.
What Does “Category 5 Cyclone” Mean?
In Australia, Category 5 cyclones rarely reach landfall. These storms produce strong winds of around 280 km/h, with sustained winds exceeding 200 km/h. Storm surges may create catastrophic coastal flooding, and powerful winds can have an impact hundreds of kilometres away from the cyclone’s core.
These cyclones may be very destructive, causing widespread damage to buildings, infrastructure, and flora. The most recent Category 5 storm to reach Australia was Tropical Storm Ilsa in 2023, which made landfall in the Pilbara, traversing through remote regions and destroying a roadhouse.
How long will Cyclone Zelia last?
Cyclone Zelia is predicted to remain strong as it advances ashore on Friday evening. Around 12 hours after impact, the system is expected to diminish to a Category 3 hurricane as it moves south. By Saturday afternoon, it is expected to be reduced to a tropical low near the mining town of Tom Price.
