(Express) – Severe tropical cyclone Damien made landfall at the industrial port of Dampier with its impact being felt in the nearby city of Karratha and throughout the region. Dozens of homes are without power and trees have been flattened as Damien batters Western Australia’s northern coast.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said heavy rain had hit the region as a red alert weather warning is in place for the state’s Pilbara region. The category three cyclone is causing gusts of up to 134mph near its center and is the strongest cyclone to hit land in the area since 2013. Port Hedland, the world’s largest iron ore port, has been cleared of all vessels ahead its arrival.
BoM officials are urging residents of some coastal areas to seek shelter. A spokesman for the agency said: “Residents between Dampier and Whim Creek, including Dampier and Karratha, are warned of the potential of a very dangerous storm tide as the cyclone centre crosses the coast. “Tides are likely to rise significantly above the normal high tide mark with damaging waves and very dangerous flooding.” READ MORE
