Sydney: Authorities ordered evacuations as a powerful tropical cyclone barreled towards Western Australia on Thursday, warning that the winds could throw caravans, topple trees, and turn debris into "missiles."
In preparation, Port Hedland, one of the world's major iron ore shipping hubs, cleared its docks of all ships as Tropical Cyclone Ilsa gained strength over the Indian Ocean.
One of the strongest cyclones to strike the state in a decade, the category four storm could produce wind gusts of up to 270 kilometres per hour (167 miles), according to forecasters.
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On Thursday evening or Friday morning, the storm was predicted to make landfall somewhere between the coastal towns of Broome and Port Hedland, about 17 hours' drive north of Perth.
Weather warnings have been issued for a vast, sparsely populated area that stretches for about 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) from the coast into Australia's desert Outback. It is then expected to move inland. In addition to numerous Aboriginal communities, the area is home to large cattle ranches, gold and iron ore mines.
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The winds, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, would be strong enough to topple trees and powerlines and launch "caravans" and "trampolines." The weather bureau warned that flash flooding was also a possibility.
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The state's Department of Fire and Emergency Services stated that it "cannot stress enough how extreme these conditions will be for those in the area." The destructive winds, according to Port Hedland Mayor Peter Carter, could turn flying debris into "missiles in the air."
He told the national broadcaster ABC, "That's what causes all the damage, that's what hurts people." "Everyone is on edge," he continued. Australian scientists have repeatedly expressed concern that the risk of natural disasters like cyclones, floods, and bushfires is being increased by climate change.