SYDNEY: A powerful cyclone has hit Western Australia, setting a wind speed record but sparing populated places from significant damage.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Ilsa struck the state close to Port Hedland, the globe’s largest iron ore export hub, just before midnight. The fast storm has been downgraded to category three, but the red alert remains in place for some inland communities. The cyclone is the strongest to target the region in some 14 years.
Port Hedland Mayor Peter Carter explains the sound of the wind targeting the town as “very eerie and unusual” and “like the freight train”. One well-known local tavern and the caravan park lying right in the path of the powerful storm – the Pardoo roadhouse – suffered “massive damage”, its owners said on Facebook. The region’s fire chief said that, but there’ve been no reports of the wound to people, and the strongest cyclone unharmed all critical infrastructure.
“Once we get crews onto the ground and helicopters in the air… we’ll move along the coast to check to see roads and other critical infrastructure, Peter said to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Winds of 218kilimeter/h were recorded on Bedout Island just off the coast as the strongest storm touched down, setting Australia’s preliminary ten-minute sustained wind record.
The last record was 194km/h – winds recorded when Cyclone George slammed into Australia in 2007.
While the northern area of Australia is no stranger to cyclones, that storm is the strongest to target the region in 14 years.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said that Ilsa’s destructive winds were moving inland, but the powerful storm is estimated to weaken further overnight into Saturday.
As the powerful cyclone approached, Port Hedland residents made last-minute preparations by sandbagging and securing houses and businesses, Channel Nine reporter Ezra Holt told the BBC from the town.
He said there’re mixed emotions within the town, with some not too fussed and others concerned because cyclones this strong are rare.
Ships, also including iron ore carriers, were reportedly moved from the Port Hedland harbour as the powerful storm approached.
