Severe Tropical Cyclone Fina loses steam as it heads towards West Australian coast
West Australian Premier Roger Cook says the government is on stand by to help anyone who chooses to be evacuated from the Northern Territory border and the far north WA coast as Severe Tropical Cyclone Fina bears down.
A track map released on Monday afternoon.Credit: Bureau of Meteorology
Fina is expected to weaken slightly as it moves towards the northeast Kimberley coast on Monday, but is expected to cross the coast at a category three system.
Winds near the centre of the cyclone have reached 185 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 260 kilometres per hour.
As it tracks west, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services has warned residents near the border and on the northern Kimberley coast to brace for its aftermath.
The cyclone is travelling towards Kalumburu – the most remote permanent settlement in the state – but the Bureau of Meteorology has said the destructive core of the cyclone is forecast to cross the coast most likely between King George River Mouth and Berkeley River Mouth in the late afternoon or evening.
Cook said the government is on high alert.
“We’re working with the communities in relation to any that want evacuation,” he said.
“At this stage, no community has advised that they’re seeking evacuation. They’re used to these sorts of weather events, but obviously we want to make sure that we have an opportunity to keep people safe, and we’ll do that.”
A community meeting with emergency services and police was held this morning out the front of the Kalumburu store to give detail warnings of the incoming system.
