Issued at 11:59 am WST on Saturday 28 January 2012
A Cyclone WARNING is current for coastal areas from Mardie to Coral Bay,
including Exmouth and Onslow.
A Cyclone WATCH is current between Whim Creek to Mardie and Coral Bay to Cape
Cuvier and adjacent inland parts of the west Pilbara.
The Cyclone WATCH from Whim Creek to Port Hedland has been cancelled.
At 11:00 am WST Tropical Cyclone Iggy, Category 2 was estimated to be
400 kilometres west northwest of Exmouth and
640 kilometres west of Karratha and
moving south at 8 kilometres per hour.
Tropical Cyclone Iggy is expected to steadily intensify as it moves to the
southeast towards the Northwest Cape.
Gales may develop near the Pilbara coast between Ningaloo and Mardie tonight
including Exmouth and Onslow extending south to Coral Bay on Sunday. There is
the risk of Destructive winds in excess of 125 kilometres per hour developing
in the Exmouth-Ningaloo region and possibly Onslow during Sunday. Should Iggy
take a more easterly track then gales could extend further east to Whim Creek
including the Karratha/Dampier region during Sunday or Monday. Gales are no
longer expected to extend as far east as Port Hedland.
Heavy rainfall is likely in coastal parts of the Pilbara over the weekend and
there will continue to be large swells along the Pilbara and Kimberley coasts.
FESA State Emergency Service (SES) advises of the following community alerts:
BLUE ALERT: People in or near coastal and island communities between Mardie and
Coral Bay including the communities of Mardie, Onslow, Exmouth and Coral Bay
need to prepare for cyclonic weather and organise an emergency kit including
first aid kit, torch, portable radio, spare batteries, food and water.
Communities between Whim Creek and Cape Cuvier should listen for the next
advice.
People needing SES assistance can call 132 500. In a life threatening situation
call 000. For more safety tips visit http://www.fesa.wa.gov.au
Details of Tropical Cyclone Iggy at 11:00 am WST:
.Centre located near...... 20.1 degrees South 110.8 degrees East
.Location accuracy........ within 55 kilometres
.Recent movement.......... towards the south at 8 kilometres per hour
.Wind gusts near centre... 130 kilometres per hour and INTENSIFYING
.Severity category........ 2
.Central pressure......... 975 hectoPascals
The next advice will be issued by 3:00 pm WST Saturday 28 January.
Cyclone advices and State Emergency Service Community Alerts are available by
dialling 1300 659 210
A map showing the track of the cyclone is available at:
http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/cyclone
