Flooding across the region in the wake of Cyclone Zelia means road supply lines could be cut for days

THE PILBARA Ports of Dampier and Varanus Island are back in business after tropical cyclone Zelia stormed across WA’s northwest coast yesterday afternoon (Friday).

Pilbara Ports undertook inspections of navigation aids, channels and berths to confirm safe operations can resume and the ports were reopened at 3pm AWST. Pilbara Ports is liaising with terminal and vessel operators and stakeholders to plan the resumption of shipping. Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia made landfall at 12.30pm near De Grey River mouth, northeast of Port Hedland at category 4 intensity. This morning The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), said Zelia was now below cyclone intensity and continuing to weaken as it moved slowly south and further inland through the eastern Pilbara.

While the cyclone may have dissipated the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) warned that significant disruption of the transportation network and extensive road closures are expected from flooding. BOM said heavy rainfall had been observed from Wednesday across the De Grey River catchment and was heaviest about the coast. Heavy to intense rainfall is forecast into the weekend across the region and combined with relatively wet catchment conditions is causing riverine flooding along the De Grey River and its tributaries. Some roads may become impassable, and communities may become isolated. A major flood warning has been issued for the De Grey River catchment including Marble Bar, Warralong, and Nullagine. A flood watch is current for the Fortescue River, Onslow Coast, Ashburton River, Gascoyne River, and parts of the Sandy Desert catchment.

The cyclone hit the coast further east than predicted which meant Port Hedland was spared the worst of the cyclone. DFES said road closures included Great Northern Highway between Port Hedland and Auski Roadhouse; Ripon Hills Road from Marble Bay to the Telfer Mine turn-off; and Marble Bar Road between Port Hedland and Roy Hill.

Other closures were Port Hedland Road, between Great Northern Highway and Wedge Street, Port Hedland; Great Northern Highway, between Port Hedland (Buttweld Road) and Roebuck turn off; and North West Coastal Highway between Roebourne and Port