Cyclone Ilsa is heading for Western Australia: evacuations started

Fear of Cyclone Ilsa is growing in Western Australia. The tropical cyclone is currently classified as Category 2 and is still over the sea about 210 miles northwest of Broome in the Kimberley region, ABC reported Wednesday, citing the National Weather Service. However, the storm is expected to intensify in the coming days. “Should Ilsa reach the coast as a Category 4 system, it would be Australia’s first cyclone of this size in four years,” it said.

In 2019, Hurricane Trevor caused severe damage in Queensland and the Northern Territory. A cyclone of this strength last raged in Western Australia more than a decade ago, AAP news agency reported. Ilsa is expected to make landfall between Port Hedland and Broome on Thursday or Friday.

Meanwhile, the evacuation of Aboriginal communities, cattle ranches, miners and caravan parks in remote areas has begun. “People should prepare for wind speeds of more than 200 kilometers per hour,” said Darren Klemm of the region’s emergency services.

Todd Smith, spokesman for the Bureau of Meteorology, warned: “There will be extensive damage to trees, vegetation and all buildings and infrastructure (…) and caravans and cars will be flung through the air.” (sda/dpa)