IDW24100
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Western Australia
Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre
Media: Transmitters serving the area between Port Hedland and Bidyadanga are
requested to USE the Standard Emergency Warning Signal before broadcasting the
following warning.
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 24
Issued at 11:44 am WST on Saturday 17 March 2012
A Cyclone WARNING is current for coastal areas from Cape Leveque to Dampier,
including Port Hedland, Karratha, Dampier and Broome, as well as inland parts
of the east Pilbara and far west Kimberley, including Telfer, Newman and
Jigalong, the eastern Gascoyne, far northern Goldfields and the far western
Interior including Three Rivers and Wiluna.
A Cyclone WATCH is current for parts of the eastern Gascoyne and the northern
Goldfields including Meekatharra and Leinster.
At 11:00 am WST Severe Tropical Cyclone Lua, Category 4 was estimated to be
185 kilometres northeast of Port Hedland
285 kilometres west southwest of Broome
moving south southeast at 23 kilometres per hour.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Lua is approaching the east Pilbara coast, with an
expected crossing in the vicinity of Pardoo Station around 2-3pm this
afternoon.
Gales are occurring in coastal areas between Port Hedland and Bidyadanga and
will extend to adjacent inland areas later today, possibly north to Cape
Leveque including Broome and west to Dampier.
Destructive winds to 150 kilometres per hour are possible between Port Hedland
and Bidyadanga extending to the inland eastern Pilbara later in the day. Very
Destructive winds to 250 kilometres per hour are forecast near the cyclone
centre as it crosses the coast.
As the cyclone moves further inland, gales should reach the eastern Gascoyne
areas, adjacent Interior and far northern Goldfields on Sunday morning.
Heavy rainfall is expected in coastal and inland parts of the east Pilbara,
west Kimberley extending into the eastern Gascoyne, western Interior and
northern Goldfields later today and during Sunday.
Residents of the east Pilbara and 80 Mile Beach area, east of but NOT including
Port Hedland, are specifically warned of the very dangerous storm tide expected
this afternoon. Tides are likely to rise significantly above the normal high
tide mark with damaging waves and very dangerous flooding.
Heavy surf conditions are also expected along the west Kimberley coast.
FESA-State Emergency Service advises of the following community alerts:
RED ALERT: People in coastal communities between Bidyadanga and Port Hedland,
including Wallal, 80 Mile Beach, Sandfire, Pardoo, Port Hedland, South Hedland,
Warralong, Yandeyarra and surrounding Pastoral and Mining leases need to go to
shelter immediately.
YELLOW ALERT: People in remaining communities between Broome and Whim Creek
including the Town of Broome, Marble Bar, Telfer, Nullagine, Woodie Woodie, and
adjacent pastoral and mining leases need to take action and get ready to
shelter from a cyclone.
BLUE ALERT: People in coastal communities between Whim Creek and Dampier
including Karratha, Dampier, Roebourne, Wickham and Point Samson as well as
inland communities including Newman and Jigalong and surrounding pastoral and
mining leases need to prepare for cyclonic weather and organise an emergency
kit including first aid kit, torch, portable radio, spare batteries, food and
water.
Remaining communities between Broome and Cape Leveque and in the inland eastern
Pilbara, east Gascoyne and western Interior should listen for the next advice.
Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Lua at 11:00 am WST:
.Centre located near...... 19.1 degrees South 119.8 degrees East
.Location accuracy........ within 20 kilometres
.Recent movement.......... towards the south southeast at 23 kilometres per hour
.Wind gusts near centre... 250 kilometres per hour and INTENSIFYING
.Severity category........ 4
.Central pressure......... 932 hectoPascals
The next advice will be issued by 1:00 pm WST Saturday 17 March.
Cyclone advices and State Emergency Service Community Alerts are available by
dialling 1300 659 210
A map showing the track of the cyclone is available at:
http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone
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