Potential cyclone brews off WA

Perth: A severe tropical cyclone could lash Western Australia’s north within days, with the Bureau of Meteorology warning a tropical low is brewing off the state’s coast.

The alert comes a day after a thunderstorm hit the town of Derby, 220 kilometres east of Broome, damaging a home and flipping a light aircraft at the local airport.

Hundreds of oil and gas workers have already been evacuated from offshore rigs, in preparation of dangerous weather and gales of up to 100 kilometres an hour. The Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre has issued a tropical cyclone watch for coastal areas between Kuri Bay and Wallal Downs, including Broome. Spokesperson Adam Conroy said other areas could also be at risk.

“Even though it’s still a fair way away, there is the potential for it to be a very significant system if it stays over water, so if that happens it could threaten places in the Pilbara as well,” said Mr Conroy. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has issued a blue alert, saying people need to prepare for cyclonic weather and organise emergency kits including a first aid kit, torch, portable radio, spare batteries, food and water. Communities in the Kimberley are still mopping up from Cyclone Hilda which brought heavy rain and damaging winds just after Christmas.

Derby residents assess severe storm damage. People in Derby are counting the cost of a thunderstorm which hit on Sunday night, with winds of 170 kilometres an hour.