<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>338260</docID> <postdate>2025-02-14 16:30:55</postdate> <headline>Destructive cyclone impacts Australian coast</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-338281" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/cyclone-WA-e1739487192629.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="533" /></p> <caption>Residents are bracing for destructive winds and flooding as Tropical Cyclone Zelia intensifies. Photo: Tracey Heimberger</caption> <p class="wire-column__preview__author"><span class="kicker-line">By <b>Savannah Meacham and Aaron Bunch</b> in Brisbane</span></p> <p><strong>A destructive cyclone is impacting the Australian coast hours earlier than expected, unleashing 290km/h winds.</strong></p> <p>Tropical Cyclone Zelia is crossing Western Australia's Pilbara coast east of Port Hedland as a category five system amid fears of "catastrophic damage".</p> <p>However, authorities confirmed the major mining hub of Port Hedland was likely to be spared the worst of the cyclone's impact.</p> <p>Zelia was initially set to hit the region late on Friday with shops, schools, roads and ports in WA's northwest closed in preparation and locals warned to take shelter.</p> <p>But authorities confirmed Zelia had crossed hours earlier than predicted, bringing damaging winds, flooding and heavy rainfall.</p> <p>"We've got a whole raft of resources ready to go should they be required ... for really catastrophic damage," WA Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm said.</p> <p>WA Premier Roger Cook earlier confirmed the Australian Defence Force was on standby to assist, with Zelia triggering destructive wind gusts of up to 290km/h, intense rainfall and flash flooding.</p> <p>Port Hedland, which had been fearing the worst after the category five Cyclone Ilsa system struck in 2023, claiming eight lives, was expected to dodge a bullet.</p> <p>"Port Hedland is not expected to be impacted by the very destructive winds," the Bureau of Meteorology's Matt Collopy said.</p> <p>Port Hedland Deputy Mayor Ash Christensen said there had been an "eerie sort of feeling" around the community as residents waited for the cyclone to strike.</p> <p>"We put a brave face on but I think everyone, deep down inside are a little bit worried about this one," he told AAP.</p> <p>Zelia rapidly intensified as it zeroed in on Australia's coast, developing from a category three to a five in 24 hours - progress experts claimed was "highly unusual".</p> <p>Evacuation centres have been set up at Karratha and South Hedland, with major highways near Port Hedland and regional airports closed.</p> </body>