Tropical Cyclone Heidi has developed off Western Australia and is moving south towards the northwest Australian coastline.
Issued at 6:20 am WST on Wednesday 11 January 2012
A Cyclone WARNING is now current for coastal areas from Sandfire to Mardie,
including Port Hedland, Roebourne, Karratha and Dampier, including the towns of
Port Hedland and Karratha.
At 5:00 am WST Tropical Cyclone Heidi, Category 1 was estimated to be
250 kilometres north of Port Hedland and
370 kilometres northeast of Karratha and
moving south at 20 kilometres per hour towards the coast.
Tropical Cyclone Heidi is moving in a southerly direction towards the Pilbara
coast, and is expected to produce gales with gusts to 100 kilometres per hour
in coastal areas from Sandfire Roadhouse to Port Hedland this morning,
extending west during the day, possibly as far as Mardie. Gusts could increase
to 120 kilometres per hour close to the centre as it crosses the coast.
Heidi is currently a Category 1 system and should maintain intensity until it
reaches the coast, after which it should weaken.
The strongest winds and heaviest rainfall is expected to the east and south of
the system. Rainfall totals in excess of 100mm are possible across the central
and eastern Pilbara with isolated heavier falls near the coast. Refer to Flood
Advices for further details.
Tides between Pardoo and Whim Creek are likely to rise above the normal high
tide mark with very rough seas and flooding of low-lying coastal areas. Tides
elsewhere in the Pilbara should also be higher than normal.
BLUE ALERT: People in or near coastal and island communities between Pardoo and
Mardie, including the communities of Pardoo, Port Hedland, South Hedland, Whim
Creek, Roebourne, Pt Samson, Karratha, Dampier and Mardie need to prepare for
cyclonic weather and organise an emergency kit including first aid kit, torch,
portable radio, spare batteries, food and water.
Details of Tropical Cyclone Heidi at 5:00 am WST:
.Centre locat ed near...... 18.1 degrees South 119.0 degrees East
.Location accuracy........ within 55 kilometres
.Recent movement.......... towards the south at 20 kilometres per hour
.Wind gusts near centre... 120 kilometres per hour
.Severity category........ 1
.Central pressure......... 988 hectoPascals
The next advice will be issued by 9:00 am WST Wednesday 11 January.
Cyclone advices and State Emergency Service Community Alerts are available by
dialling 1300 659 210