Tropical Cyclone Damien has begun crossing the coast near Western Australia's Pilbara region, bringing very destructive winds of more than 200 km/h.
Residents between Dampier and Whim Creek have been warned of the potential for a very dangerous storm tide.
Heavy rain is also expected to cause flooding in the Pilbara and Gascoyne regions, with falls of up to 300mm or more possible in some areas. A"red alert" is an effect for people in or near People in or near Whim Creek to Mardie and south to Pannawonica, with residents told to seek shelter immediately.
Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA Assistant Commissioner Metropolitan Brad Delavale said the alert is likely to remain in place all night and urged the community to heed the warning."The warning is quite clear, so I ask the community to abide by those warnings, to stay indoors," Mr Delavale said.
"We have emergency personnel to deploy for assistance however that is for emergency situations, not for people who are just taking it on themselves to venture out."The cyclone is expected to drop to category two sometime after midnight, before its winds weaken and lose cyclone status on Monday.This is the third cyclone of the season off the WA coast.
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