Cyclone nears Australia's west with heavy winds, risk of storm tide
FEBRUARY 7, 2020 / 8:29 PM / UPDATED 2 HOURS AGO
3 MIN READ
MELBOURNE (Reuters) - A tropical cyclone expected to hit Western Australia on Saturday was forecast to bring ferocious winds and a potentially dangerous storm tide, while much of the bushfire-battered east coast faced flood warnings due to torrential rains.
Severe tropical cyclone Damien was expected to make landfall on the west coast near Port Hedland, the world’s largest iron ore port, on Saturday afternoon. The ports had been cleared of vessels ahead its arrival.
At 1 p.m. AWST (0500 GMT), Damien was a Category 3 storm, expecting to bring winds with gusts up to 220 kilometres per hour (134 miles per hour) near its centre when crossing the coast later on Saturday, the Bureau of Meteorology in Western Australia said.
Residents of some coastal areas were urged to seek shelter.
“Residents between Dampier and Whim Creek, including Dampier and Karratha, are warned of the potential of a very dangerous storm tide as the cyclone centre crosses the coast,” the agency said on its website.
More:
https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-australia-cyclone/cyclone-nears-australias-west-with-heavy-winds-risk-of-storm-tide-idUKKCN20203I
