<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>338193</docID> <postdate>2025-02-13 08:01:38</postdate> <headline>Major mining port closed as looming cyclone intensifies</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-338194" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/20230221001766372486-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="599" /></p> <caption>Port Hedland has shut down as Tropical Cyclone Zelia approached Western Australia's coast. (Aaron Bunch/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Fraser Barton</strong></span></p> <p><strong>Australia's largest iron ore port has closed as it braces for a cyclone that could intensify into a powerful category three system.</strong></p> <p>The port at Port Hedland has shut down as Tropical Cyclone Zelia approached Western Australia's coast.</p> <p>The looming cyclone intensified into a category two system, sparking authorities and the region's multi-national mining companies into action.</p> <p>Port Hedland local Chris Ward said cyclone preparations were well under way in the iron ore town of about 16000.</p> <p>"The rain has well and truly started. People are stocking up at the supermarket on food and water, and tying down stuff around their homes," he told AAP.</p> <p>"The airport's getting busy too, FIFO workers are flying out. Looks like it's going to be a wet and wild Valentine's Day."</p> <p>The system was likely to develop into a damaging category three cyclone before crossing the Pilbara or west Kimberley coast from Friday, the Bureau of Meteorology said.</p> <p>It warned destructive winds gusts of up to 220km/h could develop between Whim Creek to Wallal Downs as the system crept closer to the coast.</p> <p>The Pilbara Ports Authority cleared berths and anchorages of vessels before closing the port.</p> <p>BHP paused non-essential travel to Port Hedland while iron ore mines continued to operate.</p> <p>Authorities worked with retailers to ensure supplies are available to rural, Indigenous and isolated communities, with the cyclone tracking toward the east Pilbara coast.</p> <p>Additional on-the-ground personnel, flood boats and aircraft have also been pre-deployed.</p> <p>An evacuation centre is expected to be open at Port Hedland when warnings are upgraded to "watch and act".</p> <p>The storm is expected to bring rainfall totals in excess of 500mm to the region.</p> <p>Residents in a warning zone spanning from Bidyadanga to Dampier have been urged to monitor updates.</p> <p>Major roads and arterial routes are expected to be impacted for up to a week in northern WA.</p> <p>A clean-up is continuing in north Queensland after nearly two weeks of flooding that claimed two lives and forced hundreds to evacuate.</p> <p>The danger has not passed with flood warnings and watches still in place across the region.</p> <p>But the record rainfall that isolated communities, closed schools and damaged roads has finally eased.</p> </body>