Category 5 Cyclone Ilsa bears down on Western Australia

A massive Category 5 cyclone is about to make landfall in Western Australia as terrified residents bow down to a night of devastation.

The cyclone is expected to make landfall around midnight or the early hours of Friday morning.

Cyclone Ilsa is moving south along the Pilbara coast but is expected to turn southeast and cross between Port Hedland and Wallal Downs, the Bureau of Meteorology said.

The “severe tropical cyclone” will bring heavy rains and damaging wind gusts, with “a highly destructive core of Ilsa” destroying communities near De Gray and Pardoo Roadhouse near the coast with wind gusts of 190 mph.

It has been called the most destructive storm to cross the state’s coast in more than a decade.

Once it makes landfall, the tropical cyclone is expected to remain in strength as it shifts hundreds of miles toward the Northern Territory border.

Residents living near the coast between Bidyadanga and De Gray coastal areas have been ordered to either seek shelter or evacuate their homes now.

Thunderstorms and a massive downpour of between 150 and 300mm are expected to fall where the cyclone crosses the coast, the Bureau of Meteorology said.

Rainfall is expected to decrease as it moves inland.

The Department of Fire and Emergency has issued a red alert for the Pilbara and Kimberley coastline, WA Today said.

This means locals in the area, including 15,000 people in Port Hedland, must stay indoors until the alarm is lifted.

“There is a potential threat to lives and homes if a cyclone approaches the area,” Emergency WA warned Thursday morning.

“You have to take action and get ready to shelter from a cyclone.”

Residents of the affected areas have been told to go to the nearest evacuation center, carry an emergency kit of canned food, water and medicine, and put all cars under cover.

Flood warnings have also been issued for people in West Kimberley, De Gray River, Sandy Desert, Warburton District Rivers, Salt Lakes District Rivers (northwest of Laverton), and Western Desert Districts.

“Severe impact will occur along the coast and adjacent inland areas east of Port Hedland and west of Bidyadanga, most likely between Pardoo Roadhouse and Wallal Downs later this evening or early Friday morning,” the BOM said.

During Friday, Ilsa is expected to maintain tropical cyclone intensity as it moves past Telfer and further inland through the Northern Interior district.

“The system is expected to weaken to tropical cyclone strength Friday night as it moves east into the southern parts of the Northern Territory.”

Port Hedland Mayor Peter Carter said residents were preparing for the impact of the cyclone and evacuation centers had been set up across the city.

“Everyone is tense,” Carter told ABC TV on Thursday.

“They understand that cyclones are what they are. They are very unpredictable.’

Mr Carter urged people to watch out for household objects turning into flying debris.

“All of our residents are actually clearing out their barbecues and patio furniture,” he said.

He added that loose objects traveling at high speed have the potential to become “missiles in the sky.”

Workers and tourists from the Eighty Mile Beach caravan park and nearby Wallal Downs cattle station were evacuated, along with non-critical workers from the Telfer mine in Newcrest and BHP’s sites across the region.

Additional aid workers, essential supplies and aircraft have been sent to the area as authorities warn the North West Coastal Highway between Port Hedland and Broome could close due to flooding.

Port Hedland is being cleared of ships, including iron ore ships.

It comes after supermarket shelves between Port Hedland and Broome were cleared of fresh produce, meat and dairy ahead of the cyclone.

Both Coles and Woolworths spokesmen assured customers that stores in the region are overstocked with “ambient goods,” food that remains at room temperature so that there will be sufficient supplies in case of an emergency.