Tropical Cyclone Damien is all set to lash the Pilbara region in Western Australia with destructive winds, torrential rains as well as storm surges. The storm has seen severe intensification overnight and may be one of the strongest systems to make landfall in the past few years. The storm is expected to hit east of Karratha and a yellow alert has been issued.
Cyclone Damien is expected to make landfall in the next 30-36 hours, north northwest of Port Headland near Learmonth.
The system is expected to cross coast as a Cat 4 storm. The system has now upgraded to a Cat 3 Cyclone. Winds gusting up to 250 kmph are expected along with heavy rains and storm surge.
After Cyclone Christine in 2013, Damien will be the first severe storm to cross Karratha and Port Hedland. However, Perth is expected to escape the fury of Damien. Yellow alert has been issued in parts of Whim Creek, Wickham, Port Hedland, Dampier, Point Samson, Karratha and Roebourne and residents have been asked to move to shelters.
There is likely to be some power outage and the intensity will only be known as the storm affects. Residents have started to stock up on food and water in Karratha. Also, port operations have been shut for cyclone preparations.
Image Credit: windy
