Ships moved as cyclone forms

SHIPS were moved from a major port in Western Australia yesterday ahead of a developing tropical cyclone.

The Bureau of Meteorology said a tropical low north of WA was expected to develop into a tropical cyclone as it moved southwest.

The Port Hedland Port Authority began the evacuation of more than 40 vessels in the inner and outer anchorage areas yesterday morning. Gale-force winds and widespread rainfall are expected to hit the Port Hedland area today.

Winds with gusts of up to 100km/ h were forecast to develop through last night on the west Kimberley coast between Cape Leveque and Broome.