Severe tropical cyclone Ilsa is set to develop into the strongest category storm before hitting Western Australia, lashing the coast with extreme wind gusts up to 285 kilometers per hour (177 miles per hour).
(Bloomberg) — Severe tropical cyclone Ilsa is set to develop into the strongest category storm before hitting Western Australia, lashing the coast with extreme wind gusts up to 285 kilometers per hour (177 miles per hour).
Ilsa is expected to develop into a category 5 cyclone later Thursday before making landfall, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, which upgraded its forecast on the intensity of the weather system. The storm is set to cross the coast east of Port Hedland in a sparsely populated area.
Australia’s western state is a key producer of commodities from metals to natural gas and cyclones can often halt production at mines and exports from ports. Ilsa is expected to dump heavy rain on Newcrest Mining Ltd.’s Telfer gold and copper operation about 400 kilometers from the coast as the storm moves inland and weakens.
Ilsa is the sixth tropical cyclone and will be the strongest to make landfall this season, which runs from Nov. 1 to April 30, according to the bureau. Port Hedland — utilized by BHP Group and Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. to export iron ore — cleared vessels from its harbor in preparation for the storm.
BHP is tying down equipment and pausing non-essential travel to Port Hedland, though mining and rail operations are continuing, along with select activities at the port including stockpiling and maintenance, a spokesperson said.
Ilsa is currently a category 4 storm with wind gusts up to 260 kilometers an hour, the bureau said. The highway between Port Hedland and the town of Broome has been closed and evacuation centers have been opened, according to a notice from Western Australian emergency services.
Grocery stores at Port Hedland were stripped of fresh produce, water, meat and cheese as people stocked up on supplies ahead of the cyclone, according to reports from local media. Residents were also asked to put away trash cans and barbecues to prevent them from becoming missiles in strong winds.
The only other cyclone to make landfall in the country this season was Ellie in late December, which led to severe flooding through northern parts of Western Australia.Â
–With assistance from Liz Yee Xing Ng and Kevin Varley.
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