“Ghostly”: Cyclone “Ilsa” sets storm record in Australia

Cyclone Ilsa, which was awaited with great concern, raged over the coastal regions of Western Australia with gusts of more than 270 kilometers per hour. However, according to reports, the tropical cyclone caused less damage than originally feared. The main reason: “Ilsa” changed direction at the last minute, thus sparing the port city of Port Hedland, which is known for its iron ore trade.

“We are so grateful and very lucky,” Mayor Peter Carter told Australian broadcaster ABC. “It was a Category 5 cyclone – if that thing had flooded Port Hedland we would have been in real trouble.”

The National Weather Service (BOM) upgraded the cyclone to Category 5 on Thursday. The last time there was such a severe storm Down Under was in 2015. “Marcia” was causing severe damage in Queensland at the time. In 2007, Category 5 Cyclone George caused devastation in Western Australia, including near Port Hedland. At that time, 3 people died and 20 were injured.

“Ilsa” reached the coast around midnight (local time) in a relatively uninhabited part of the Pilbara region, some 140 kilometers from Port Hedland, Australia’s Guardian reported Friday. “Ilsa” set a new record in Australia: according to the weather service, the storm held a wind speed of 218 kilometers per hour over the offshore island of Bedout Island for ten minutes. That had never happened before on the fifth continent. The wind gusts reached top speeds of 288 kilometers per hour.

“It seems that the more populated areas have really been spared any damage,” said Peter Sutton of the local emergency services. There are no reports of possible injuries. As soon as the situation is safe, teams must monitor the situation from the air, including helicopters.

Right in the cyclone’s path, however, was the well-known Pardoo Roadhouse and Tavern rest area right on the Great Northern Highway, the region’s main thoroughfare. Photos showed the extent of the devastation. The roof has partially collapsed, most of the solar panels have been wiped out. The owner feared for his life and reported “four hours of hell”. The damage ran into the millions, the Facebook page said. “We are all still shocked and very emotional.” However, they are determined to rebuild the roadhouse.

The authorities had brought many civilians and miners to safety in advance and campsites and cattle ranches were evacuated. But even from a relatively safe distance, “Ilsa” “sounded like an approaching freight train,” Mayor Carter reported. “Spooky,” he added.

The storm was downgraded to Category 2 by noon and moved inland. However, “destructive” wind gusts of up to 140 kilometers per hour were still measured, the BOM announced. (sda/dpa)