A powerful tropical cyclone named Zelia has made landfall in northwestern Australia, bringing intense rain and destructive winds to a critical region of the country. The storm landed at 12:30 p.m. local time, 34 miles northeast of Port Hedland, with winds of 132 miles per hour equivalent to a Category 4 Atlantic hurricane.
Residents were ordered to stay indoors as authorities warned of flash flooding, intense rain, and wind gusts of up to 100 m.p.h. The area is home to some of the world’s largest iron ore mines and major ports that account for nearly 40% of global supply.
The cyclone made landfall in a sparsely populated region with several closures of schools, roads, and ports in the surrounding areas. Authorities urged residents to take shelter and stay away from doors and windows.
As Zelia moves inland over the weekend, it is expected to lose strength but bring heavy rain to southern parts of the region. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology reported that Port Hedland will avoid the storm’s destructive core, but warned of powerful winds up to 180 m.p.h.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/14/world/australia/tropical-cyclone-zelia.html