Cyclone crossing near Wallal

For a larger map click here.

This advice from the Bureau of Meteorology:

TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 81

Issued at 2:50 pm WST on Monday, 21 December 2009

BY THE BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY

TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING CENTRE PERTH

A Cyclone WARNING continues for coastal areas from Bidyadanga to Port Hedland and adjacent inland parts including Marble Bar, Nullagine and Telfer.

A Cyclone WATCH continues for inland parts of the southwest Kimberley and eastern Pilbara, extending a long way inland to the WA border and including Warburton and Giles.

At 2:00 pm WST Severe Tropical Cyclone Laurence was estimated to be 35 kilometres north of Wallal and 230 kilometres east northeast of Port Hedland moving south southeast at 9 kilometres per hour.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Laurence will cross the coast near Wallal during this afternoon and evening. VERY DESTRUCTIVE winds with gusts to 285 kilometres per

hour will occur on the Pilbara-Kimberley coast this afternoon, and will extend inland close to the system centre during the evening. People in the area are specifically warned of the DANGEROUS STORM TIDE expected as the cyclone centre

approaches the coast. Tides are likely to rise significantly above the normal high tide mark with DAMAGING WAVES and DANGEROUS FLOODING.

DESTRUCTIVE winds are expected to extend inland overnight and during Tuesday, possibly reaching as far inland as Telfer. GALES are occurring along the coast between Bidyadanga and Wallal and will extend well inland during Tuesday and

Wednesday, reaching the vicinity of Giles and Warburton by Wednesday evening.

Heavy rainfall is falling between De Grey and Mandora and extends inland. Heavy rainfall is expected to extend into the inland eastern Pilbara on Tuesday.

FESA-State Emergency Service advises as a precautionary measure the following community alerts:

RED ALERT: People in or near communities from Sandfire to Pardoo and inland to Yarrie need to go to shelter immediately.

YELLOW ALERT: People in or near Marble Bar and Nullagine need to take action and get ready to shelter from a cyclone.

BLUE ALERT: People in or near communities from De Grey to Port Hedland and inland to Marble Bar, Nullagine and Telfer need to prepare for cyclonic weather.

ALL CLEAR: People in or near Bidyadanga are advised that the wind dangers have passed and you should proceed with caution

Communities in the southwest Kimberley and eastern Pilbara should listen for the next advice.

Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Laurence at 2:00 pm WST:

.Centre located near…… 19.5 degrees South 120.6 degrees East

.Location accuracy…….. within 20 kilometres

.Recent movement………. towards the south southeast at 9 kilometres per hour

.Wind gusts near centre… 285 kilometres per hour

.Severity category…….. 5

.Central pressure……… 929 hectoPascals

The next advice will be issued by 6:00 pm WST Monday 21 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: Cyclones, Environment, Weather