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Dongara cyclone evacuation centre opens as boats leave Abrohlos

Headshot of Geoff Vivian
Geoff VivianGeraldton Guardian
Point Moore residents filling sand bags.
Camera IconPoint Moore residents filling sand bags. Credit: Geoff Vivian/The Geraldton Guardian, Geoff Vivian

The Abrolhos Islands have been evacuated and an evacuation centre established at Dongara as severe tropical cyclone Seroja is expected to cross the coast late on Sunday or early Monday.

Lucas Rayner and Ash Sutton arrived in Geraldton early this afternoon after leaving their fishing camp on Jackson Island in the Southern Group.

They said all but one family had left the island, and that family had been ordered off by police for their own safety.

Sunset Beach Holiday Park manager Mike Triplett said the caravan park had 100 bays and he had processed 76 check outs this morning.

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Despite warnings by authorities, he said he knew people who were still not taking the severe tropical cyclone threat seriously.

Some people really think that we’ll get away with no damage whatsoever, even though the cyclone is destined to come straight across Geraldton.

“All we can do is advise them,” he said.

“I just hope they prepare for their own sakes.”

Mr Triplett said he expected all guests to leave by Sunday morning so the Park was clear of caravans and camper vans until Tuesday.

People who live in houses were busy clearing their yards of debris and loose items such as garden furniture which could become a missile during a cyclone.

Point Moore residents were filling sandbags to protect their low-lying seaside homes from possible flood damage.

Bluff Point resident Andy White checks his roofs and gutters ahead of Cyclone Seroja on Saturday, April 10 2021.
Camera IconBluff Point resident Andy White checks his roofs and gutters ahead of Cyclone Seroja on Saturday, April 10 2021. Credit: Geoff Vivian The Geraldton Guardian

They are also now available at the John Batten Hall on Whitehill Road in Drummond Cove.

Geraldton Port has been completely cleared of shipping now as the harbour and nearby anchorage was considered unsafe as part of the predicted cyclone impact zone.

Severe tropical cyclone Seroja is expected to cross the coast somewhere between Geraldton and Kalbarri, however the warning zone extends from Lancelin to just south of Coral Bay.

The evacuation centre is open at the Dongara Recreation Centre, Ridley Street, Port Denison.

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