Cyclone Zelia Moves South After Hitting Pilbara With Fierce Winds

Cyclone Zelia is weakening as it moves south, but not before battering Western Australia’s Pilbara coast with wind gusts of up to 290 kph (180 mph) and heavy rain. Authorities are now assessing the damage, reopening roads and ports, and warning of ongoing flood risks.

The North West Coastal Highway reopened on Saturday, restoring a key transport link after being shut when Zelia made landfall on Friday (February 14). Pilbara Ports also confirmed that Dampier and Varanus Island—major hubs for oil and gas—resumed operations after closing as a precaution.

Zelia, the most severe storm to hit the Pilbara coast since Cyclone Ilsa in April 2023, made landfall as a category five storm before weakening as it moved south. Though major population centres avoided its most destructive winds, widespread flooding and infrastructure damage have been reported.

Emergency crews are working to clear debris and restore essential services, while authorities urge caution due to lingering floodwaters and road closures in some inland areas.

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