Cyclone crosses Dampier Peninsula

Ex-cyclone Laurence has crossed the Dampier Peninsula and is now once again over the ocean.

It is expected to re-form into a cyclone today.TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 62
Issued at 5:50 am WST on Saturday, 19 December 2009
BY THE BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY
TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING CENTRE PERTH

A Cyclone WARNING continues for coastal areas from Cape Leveque to Bidyadanga.

A Cyclone WATCH continues for coastal areas from Bidyadanga to Pardoo.

At 5:00 am WST Ex-Tropical Cyclone Laurence was estimated to be 145 kilometres north northeast of Broome and moving west northwest at 12 kilometres per hour.

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Laurence has moved over the Dampier Peninsula and crossed the west Kimberley coast.

The low is expected to reintensify into a tropical cyclone in the next three to six hours. GALES could develop along the west Kimberley coast between Cape
Leveque and Bidyadanga, including Broome during the morning. As the system moves south westwards GALES could extend further down the coast to Pardoo late on
Sunday.

Heavy rainfall is expected to continue in the west Kimberley with 24 hour falls in excess of 200mm possible. Curtin has reported 142mm since 9am Friday.

FESA-State Emergency Service advises as a precautionary measure the following community alerts:
BLUE ALERT: People in the communities from Cape Leveque to Beagle Bay, including One Arm Point, Djarindjin and Lombadina need to prepare for cyclonic weather and
organise an emergency kit including first aid kit, torch, portable radio, spare batteries, food and water.
Communities in the remainder of the western Kimberley and northern Pilbara should listen for the next advice.

Details of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Laurence at 5:00 am WST:
.Centre located near…… 16.7 degrees South 122.5 degrees East
.Location accuracy…….. within 35 kilometres
.Recent movement………. towards the west northwest at 12 kilometres per hour
.Wind gusts near centre… 85 kilometres per hour
.Severity category…….. below cyclone intensity
.Central pressure……… 996 hectoPascals

The next advice will be issued by 9:00 am WST Saturday 19 December.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/weather/cyclone

Tags: Aboriginal, Broome, Communities, Cyclones, Environment, Weather