Ports are being cleared in WA’s North West as the region prepares for Cyclone Riley, which is intensifying off the coast.
Pilbara Ports Authority advised it had begun cyclone preparations across the ports of Ashburton, Dampier and Port Hedland.
The Port of Dampier will begin clearing vessels from anchorages and terminals in a staged manner from Thursday night and the port will be cleared by 1pm on Friday.
TC Riley remains off the coast of northern WA but is not expected to pose a significant threat to Pilbara coastal communities.
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READ NOWHowever, the cyclone is expected to move parallel to the coast and there is the possibility of coastal gales developing on Saturday, the Bureau of Meteorology says.
TC Riley is expected to become a category two system on Thursday night and possibly develop into a category three on Friday.
A blue alert is in place for people between Whim Creek and Onslow.
It's WA's first tropical cyclone of the season and the third in Australia.