Cyclone “Zelia” rages over Australia

Meteorologists warn of “extremely destructive winds that can devastate everything on their way”: the heavy tropical storm “Zelia” rages above the west coast of Australia. The authorities asked residents to stay indoors.

The heavy “Zelia” cyclone on the Australian west coast was hit on land earlier than expected. With wind speeds of up to 195 kilometers per hour and gusts of around 290 kilometers per hour, the tropical storm rages in the Pilbara region and especially around the cities of Port Hedland and Karratha.

Port Hedland was initially spared – unlike expected – from the center of the cyclone. The authorities still warned of flood floods and floods due to heavy rain.

Initially classified as a storm of category 5

Since yesterday, experts had classified the storm in the highest category 5 while raging over the sea and heading for Australia. After he met land, he was downgraded to category 4. A category 5-cyclone is rare in Western Australia and only occurs once every five years, said expert James Ashley from the Weather Service Bom.

The local emergency services asked people to stay indoors. “It is extremely destructive winds that are so strong that they can outline trees, power lines and entire houses and really devastate everything in their way,” the AAP news agency quoted the meteorologist Angus.

Shops and schools are closed

Shops, schools and airports in the affected area were closed as a precaution by the authorities and shipping traffic was discontinued. Around 10,000 sandbags were distributed to the population to secure their houses. There was a risk of life, serious damage and floods, it said. Several evacuation centers have been set up for residents.

The Pilbara region is located in the north of the state of Western Australia, more than 1,000 kilometers north of Perth. With tourists, she is popular with waterfalls and red desert landscapes because of its wonderful nature. In general, however, the region is very sparsely populated.