Major concern in Western Australia: Cyclone “Ilsa” now highest category

Western Australia has made final preparations for the arrival of severe tropical cyclone Ilsa. The cyclone has now become significantly stronger and is now classified in the highest category 5, the national weather service (BOM) reports on Thursday afternoon (local time). Experts expected it to make landfall between Port Hedland and Bidyadanga between late Thursday evening and Friday morning with heavy rain and extremely strong winds.

The Bureau of Meteorology warned that the cyclone’s “highly destructive core” could generate wind gusts of 175 miles per hour. In addition, “abnormally high waves” are expected, especially in the coastal area between the cities of Broome and Port Hedland. From there, “Ilsa” will then move on towards the hinterland, it was said.

Australian broadcaster ABC reported that enough food had been brought to the community of Bidyadanga for a week for all residents. However, the authorities feared power outages and communication problems.

As a precaution, some elderly or sick residents have been brought to Broome. The evacuation of remote Aboriginal communities, cattle ranches, miners and caravan parks began on Wednesday. The country’s emergency services announced that the Great Northern Highway – the region’s main link – between Port Hedland and Broome would be closed.

In the morning the storm was still classified as Category 4. The last time there was a cyclone of magnitude 5 in Australia was in 2015. Hurricane “Marcia” at the time wreaked havoc in Queensland on the east coast.

(yam/sda/dpa)