Severe cyclone builds near Australia’s western mining hub

Sydney - A severe tropical cyclone was rapidly building strength off Australia’s minerals-rich west coast on Feb 13, whipping up destructive winds and forcing the closure of a global iron ore-shipping hub.

Government forecasters said Cyclone Zelia was expected to build into a Category 5 system – the strongest on the scale – before making landfall on the afternoon of Feb 14.

Port Hedland, one of the world’s largest iron ore loading ports, has cleared vessels and shut down in anticipation.

“It will continue to rapidly develop today and then start moving towards the coast,” said Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Dean Narramore.

He said the cyclone would bring “damaging and destructive winds” stronger than 160kmh.

Gusts could be as strong as 290kmh near the centre, he added.

Category 5 systems are “extremely dangerous” and can cause “widespread destruction of buildings”, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

“That’s why we are so concerned about our residents through this part of the Pilbara coast,” Mr Narramore said.

“It is an intense and dangerous system.”

The cyclone was likely to land near Port Hedland – about 17 hours’ drive north of state capital Perth – before tracking inland across sparsely populated mining and cattle country.

Emergency Services Western Australia urged residents to tie down trampolines and board up exposed windows.

“There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a cyclone is approaching the area.”

The north-west coast of Western Australia is the most cyclone-prone region in the country, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

It also has “the highest incidence of cyclones in the Southern hemisphere”.

The region holds significant deposits of iron ore, copper and gold, and is home to some of Australia’s largest mining operations. AFP