Cyclone Zelia RECAP: Downgraded to category two, approaching Marble Bar

DFES has just said TC Zelia is about to cross the coast east of Port Hedland as a category five cyclone.

People from Pardoo Roadhouse to Whim Creek and inland west of Marble Bar must shelter now.

Allianz Insurance is preparing for an influx of calls and claims as severe tropical cyclone Zelia nears the WA coastline.

The insurer says it has triggered its surge response plan, resourcing its claims centre with additional people to help with claims on the phone or online.

“We are actively exploring temporary accommodation options in the region to support those who may be displaced. This includes sending tents and caravans to the affected areas to meet housing needs,” Allianz said.

It’s also locked in local builders and tradies to secure their services early, in a bid to ensure speedy repairs and rebuilding efforts in the aftermath.

National manager disaster and recovery Scott Cooper said Allianz “stands ready to support our customers and partners”.

“Our team has triggered our response plans, activated resources across the business to build out our response capability across areas such as claims lodgement, emergency makesafe, assessing, claims management and customer communication,” he said.

“We have planned for and responded to events of this nature before and will be with the community as recovery from this event unfolds.”

The strongest wind gusts will be felt when the tropical cyclone crosses the coast.

It’s forecast that winds will reach speeds of up to 290km/h close to the core of the system.

“Now, to put that into perspective, with the severe thunderstorm, we might see wind gusts of 90, 100km/h, possibly, 110 or 120 if it’s a particularly strong system,” BoM meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said.

“So to expect wind gusts up to 290km/h really tells how strong and intense this category five system is.”

Winds of that speed are strong enough to destroy trees and permanent structures in its path.

Meteorologist Miriam Bradbury has provided updated details on the cyclone, saying it is now expected to make landfall around 4pm.

“The forecast has been shifting back and forth as the cyclone shifts back and forth off the coast. But the current analysis has that tropical cyclone coastal crossing time at around 4.00 pm Western Standard Time, most likely to the east of Port Hedland,” she said.

Ms Bradbury said it is “good news” that the hardest hitting impacts are likely to be seen to the east of Port Hedland.

Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson says the WA health system is “better placed than we have ever been” to deal with cyclone Zelia.

“The WA Country Health service is very experienced at dealing with natural disasters,” she said on Friday morning.

“Karratha and Port Hedland hospitals are all on alert and will remain on alert.”

Ms Sanderson said a State Health Incident Centre had opened at the State Health Operations Centre in Perth.

“We are better placed than we have ever been as a health system to support natural disasters,” she said.

“Our State Health Operations Centre in the city has WACHS, DFES, the Royal Flying Doctor Services and WA Police all in the same building.

“We are resilient, we are prepared and we will support the community through this.”

Premier Roger Cook has briefed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the cyclone sitution, with the Australian Defence Force on standby to lend a hand.

Earlier this morning, Emergency Management Minister Jenny McAllister said another two ADF heavy-lift aircraft will be sent to support emergency services as the cyclone continues its approach.

The C130 Hercules and C27 Spartan will join the Sikorsky S61, which was sent westwards yesterday.

Shops, 27 schools, roads and ports in WA’s north-west have closed in preparation for the “dangerous” system, with people urged to take shelter.

Evacuation centres have been set up at Karratha and South Hedland, with major highways near Port Hedland and regional airports closed.

WA Fire and Emergency Services commissioner Darren Klemm said food, gas and diesel supplies in the region were plentiful.