Cyclone warning for Pilbara coast

A cyclone is forecast to hit Pilbara communities between Wallal to Onslow this weekend, including Port Hedland, Karratha, Dampier and Onslow.

A tropical cyclone expected to develop off the north-west Kimberley coast on Thursday with the Pilbara coast expecting gales from later Friday and a severe cyclone impact is possible on Saturday.

Gales are forecast to develop along the Pilbara coast between Wallal Downs and Dampier including Port Hedland during Friday, possibly extending west to Onslow overnight Friday.

Destructive winds with wind gusts to 150kms per hour may develop overnight on Friday as the cyclone approaches the coast, increasing further on Saturday near the cyclone centre.

Abnormally high tides could cause serious flooding on the coast between Dampier and Wallal on Saturday, while heavy rain is likely to cause flooding in the Pilbara as the cyclone moves inland over the weekend.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has advised there are no community alerts at present, but communities between Wallal Downs and Onslow should listen for the next advice at 9pm.