Severe tropical cyclone Sean upgraded to category 3 as it intensifies off WA coast

Tropical Cyclone Sean has been upgraded to a category 3, and is expected to gain strength as it continues to smash parts of WA’s Pilbara coast.

Tropical Cyclone Sean was upgraded to a category 3 early on Monday morning, with sustained winds near the centre now at 150km/h with wind gusts up to 205km/h.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Tropical Cyclone Sean upgraded to category 3.

Warnings are still in place from Mardie to Ningaloo, including Onslow and Exmouth.

“Severe Tropical Cyclone Sean is now moving to the southwest away from the WA coast, but gales are only slowly easing from the east. The cyclone continues to intensify and may reach category 4 tonight well off the coast,” the Bureau of Meteorology said on Monday.

“Heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding is possible between Mardie and North West Cape for the remainder of today. Locally intense raingall is possible about North West Cape this afternoon. A Flood Watch has been issued for the Pilbara.”

BOM said gale-force winds with damaging wind gusts of up to 120km/h were occurring at coastal and island communities between Ningaloo and Mardie, including Onslow and Exmouth.

A cyclone emergency warning was issued for Barrow Island on Sunday evening, with residents told to shelter indoors and stay in the strongest part of the building.

Barrow Island has a population of 45 people.

Winds are expected to gradually ease from the east during the day.

“A storm tide is forecast between Onslow and Exmouth during Monday afternoon’s high tide,” BOM said.

“Large waves may produce minor flooding along the foreshore. People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to help their neighbours.”

The cyclone has halted iron ore exports across much of the Pilbara, home to about 43 per cent of the global iron ore trade and 7.5 per cent of global LNG trade.

-With AAP