This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-65259342

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Cyclone Ilsa: Powerful storm hits Western Australia Cyclone Ilsa: Powerful storm hits Western Australia
(about 1 hour later)
A powerful storm has made landfall on the northern coast of Western Australia (WA).A powerful storm has made landfall on the northern coast of Western Australia (WA).
Severe Tropical Cyclone Ilsa crossed the coast near Port Hedland just before midnight (17:00 BST) on Thursday as a category five storm.Severe Tropical Cyclone Ilsa crossed the coast near Port Hedland just before midnight (17:00 BST) on Thursday as a category five storm.
It has since been downgraded to category four but still has the potential to cause significant damage. It has since been downgraded to category three but still has the potential to cause significant damage.
A red alert was issued hours earlier, with thousands of people ordered to take immediate shelter. Isla is expected to stay as a tropical cyclone during Friday before weakening overnight into Saturday.
Hours before it made a land, a red alert was issued - with thousands of people ordered to take immediate shelter.
It is the country's most serious cyclone alert level. Under it, people are told to remain in the strongest, safest part of their homes and to stay away from doors and windows until they are given the all clear by authorities.It is the country's most serious cyclone alert level. Under it, people are told to remain in the strongest, safest part of their homes and to stay away from doors and windows until they are given the all clear by authorities.
While northern Australia is no stranger to cyclones, this storm is the strongest to hit the region in 14 years.While northern Australia is no stranger to cyclones, this storm is the strongest to hit the region in 14 years.
The "very destructive core" of the storm will bring "extreme" wind gusts of up to 315km/h (195mph) in parts of the Kimberley and Pilbara regions, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said.The "very destructive core" of the storm will bring "extreme" wind gusts of up to 315km/h (195mph) in parts of the Kimberley and Pilbara regions, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said.
BBC WEATHER: North-west Australia braced for powerful Cyclone
Winds of 218km/h were recorded on Bedout Island just off the coast as the storm touched down, setting a preliminary 10-minute sustained wind record, according to the BOM.Winds of 218km/h were recorded on Bedout Island just off the coast as the storm touched down, setting a preliminary 10-minute sustained wind record, according to the BOM.
The previous record was 194km/h - winds that were recorded when Cyclone George hit Australia in 2007.The previous record was 194km/h - winds that were recorded when Cyclone George hit Australia in 2007.
"There is a threat to lives and homes. You are in danger and need to act immediately," the Department of Fire and Emergency Services said, when the red alert was issued on Thursday afternoon, local time."There is a threat to lives and homes. You are in danger and need to act immediately," the Department of Fire and Emergency Services said, when the red alert was issued on Thursday afternoon, local time.
Residents, including some 15,000 people in Port Hedland, the world's biggest iron ore exporting port, have been ordered to shelter inside and stay away from doors and windows. Residents, including some 15,000 people in Port Hedland, the world's biggest iron ore exporting port, have been placed under the red alert.
"It is too late to leave. Stay indoors until the all clear is given by authorities," the red alert warning states.
BBC WEATHER: North-west Australia braced for powerful Cyclone
Port Hedland Mayor Peter Carter said evacuation centres had been set up in the town.Port Hedland Mayor Peter Carter said evacuation centres had been set up in the town.
"Everyone is on edge," Mr Carter told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. "They understand that cyclones are what they are. They're very, very unpredictable.""Everyone is on edge," Mr Carter told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. "They understand that cyclones are what they are. They're very, very unpredictable."
Remote communities are being evacuated
On Thursday as the cyclone approached, residents made last minute preparations by sandbagging and securing homes and businesses, Channel Nine reporter Ezra Holt told the BBC from Port Hedland.On Thursday as the cyclone approached, residents made last minute preparations by sandbagging and securing homes and businesses, Channel Nine reporter Ezra Holt told the BBC from Port Hedland.
He added that there were mixed emotions within the town, with some not too fussed, and others more concerned because cyclones this strong are quite rare.He added that there were mixed emotions within the town, with some not too fussed, and others more concerned because cyclones this strong are quite rare.
Weather officials also warned of up to 400mm (15.7in) of rain and abnormally high tides, with the storm's impact felt across a 600km (370 mile) region from Port Hedland to just south of Broome.Weather officials also warned of up to 400mm (15.7in) of rain and abnormally high tides, with the storm's impact felt across a 600km (370 mile) region from Port Hedland to just south of Broome.
Some 700 residents from the remote community of Bidyadanga have been evacuated, the fire service has said.Some 700 residents from the remote community of Bidyadanga have been evacuated, the fire service has said.
Remote communities are being evacuated
In Port Hedland, iron ore carrying ships were reportedly being moved from the harbour. Mining company BHP told Reuters it was closely monitoring the situation, but its mining and rail operations were continuing.In Port Hedland, iron ore carrying ships were reportedly being moved from the harbour. Mining company BHP told Reuters it was closely monitoring the situation, but its mining and rail operations were continuing.
The last category five cyclone to hit WA was Cyclone Laurence in 2009. Two years earlier, another category five storm, Cyclone George, killed three people as it tore through mining camps just south of Port Hedland.The last category five cyclone to hit WA was Cyclone Laurence in 2009. Two years earlier, another category five storm, Cyclone George, killed three people as it tore through mining camps just south of Port Hedland.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
Western AustraliaWestern Australia
AustraliaAustralia