Cyclone Veronica: Storm surge, flooding ‘red alert’ warning - NEWS.com.au

Residents have bunkered down as an unusually powerful and slow-moving cyclone hits parts of the West Australian coast.

Even those who have weathered previous cyclones are being warned to stay indoors because Cyclone Veronica “is different” from previous storms.

PROLONGED WINDS

James Ashley, a senior forecaster from the Bureau of Meteorology, said Veronica was unique because of its slow speed, which would bring a long danger period.

“We are expecting a prolonged period - 12 hours or more - of destructive winds near the core of the cyclone,” Ashley said.

A red alert has been issued for residents along the Pilbara coast to find shelter and brace for destructive winds of up to 155km/h and wind gusts up to 220km/h.

“This is a very, very serious situation,” WA Premier Mark McGowan told reporters.

“People in that part of the world are used to cyclones but this one is different.”

FORECAST COURSE

Veronica hit the coastline of the Pilbara region between Dampier and Port Hedland on Sunday morning. The slow-moving system was downgraded to category three as it continued to move southeast at 8km/h, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

The Bureau predicted Veronica would weaken and start heading west overnight, passing briefly over the coast as a Category 1 storm near the town of Dampier on Monday afternoon, before heading back to sea.

Some 60,000 people live in the area most affected by Veronica, but the region is generally well prepared for cyclones.

REGIONAL IMPACT

Port Hedland Mayor Camilo Blanco said the rain and winds dramatically intensified within a short period of time.

“The rain has petered off a bit but it was belting down,” he said. “The winds have picked up a massive amount. On social media, we’ve seen a few trees lifted out.”

Karratha Mayor Peter Long said the strong southerly winds reached 120km/h and caused vegetationdamage and destroyed a shed.

“I’m concerned about the cyclone surge because it’s a Spring tide which is the highest tide of the year so we’re expecting a surge of 2-5 metres,” he said.

STAY SAFE

The Departments of Fire and Emergency Services’ urges residents in red alert zones to seek shelter in the strongest, safest parts of their homes and to stay clear of doors or windows.

They said people would need to stay in shelter longer than usual due to the destructive storm’s slow pace.

The premier, commenting on reports people had ventured into the storm for selfies, warned against “stupid” behaviour.

“Dont take matters into your own hands,” Mr McGowan said.

“Don’t risk your own life, don’t risk the lives of your children, don’t risk the life of others.” Veronica will move across coastal towns including Port Hedland, Karratha and Pannawonica, with wind speeds expected to exceed 165km/h late Sunday. Widespread heavy rainfall and very dangerous storm tides, causing very dangerous coastal inundation, are also expected.

Veronica is the third tropical cyclone this season and it comes as cyclone Trevor whips through the Northern Territory.

The last category four tropical cyclone to hit the WA coast was Christine in December 2013.

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