<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>338193</docID> <postdate>2025-02-13 09:55:38</postdate> <headline>Category five cyclone set to impact northern coast</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>Schools have been closed as northern Australia braces for a tropical cyclone that is set to develop into a destructive category five system.</strong></p> <p>Tropical Cyclone Zelia has rapidly intensified since developing off the Western Australian coast, sparking authorities into action.</p> <p>About a dozen schools have been shut in WA's north and roads are set to be closed with the cyclone looming about 140km north of Port Hedland.</p> <p>Cyclone Zelia is currently a severe category four system as it moves slowly southwest toward the Pilbara coast and intensifies.</p> <p>It is set to develop into a maximum category five system and cross the coast west of Port Hedland on Friday night.</p> <p>Schools have been closed in the region with authorities expected to shut roads including the Great Northern Highway and set up a South Hedland evacuation centre.</p> <p>The current category four system is developing winds gusts up to 250m/h.</p> <p>A cyclone watch and act warning has been issued for Eighty Mile Beach to Whim Creek and inland to Marble Bar.</p> <p>"There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a cyclone is approaching the area," the warning said. "You need to take action and get ready to shelter from a cyclone."</p> <p>Australia's largest iron ore port at Port Hedland was shut down on Wednesday as the region braced for the incoming system.</p> <p>Port Hedland local Chris Ward said cyclone preparations were well under way on 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 is getting busy too, FIFO workers are flying out. Looks like it's going to be a wet and wild Valentine's Day."</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>A clean-up is continuing in north Queensland after record rainfall eased following almost two weeks of flooding that claimed two lives and forced hundreds to evacuate.</p> </body>