In brief
Tropical Cyclone Zelia, equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane, made landfall in northwest Australia, leading to widespread evacuations and severe weather warnings.
Tropical Cyclone Zelia struck northwest Australia on Friday afternoon, packing winds rivaling those of a Category 4 hurricane, as it unleashed heavy rains and fierce winds in a region notorious for its crucial ports and iron ore mines. In response to the life-threatening conditions, authorities directed residents to remain indoors for their safety. According to Australian meteorologists, Zelia made landfall at 12:30 p.m. local time, approximately 34 miles northeast of the town of Port Hedland, which houses a populace of around 15,000 in the Pilbara region, known for its rich iron ore resources. The U.S. Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center reported sustained winds reaching 132 miles per hour.A tropical cyclone warning was issued spanning from Wallal Downs to Roebourne, roughly150 miles from Port Hedland. The Bureau of Meteorology indicated that intense rainfall, flash flooding, and wind gusts up to 100 miles per hour were expected in the affected areas, as stated by meteorologist Miriam Bradbury. Furthermore, as the storm approached, forecasts suggested damaging winds could reach up to 180 miles per hour near the cyclone's core, potent enough to uproot trees and damage permanent structures, as highlighted by Ms. Bradbury in a morning briefing.In light of the imminent threat, Australian authorities advised residents in Port Hedland and surrounding locales to find safe shelter, urging them to avoid doors and windows. Schools and some roads in flood-prone areas were closed in anticipation of the storm impacts. While the Bureau of Meteorology provided reassurance that Port Hedland would likely escape the extreme core of Cyclone Zelia, precautions were still prevalent. Major shipping ports in the Pilbara region—responsible for nearly 40 percent of the global iron ore market—were bracing for the storm. Port Hedland had suspended operations on Wednesday, while Dampier Port, a vital transit point for Rio Tinto, and the Port of Varanus Island closed on Thursday.As Zelia is forecasted to weaken moving inland over the weekend, heavy rainfall remains a concern as it advances southward, according to additional statements from meteorologists.
