Port Hedland braces for category five Tropical Cyclone Zelia
Port Hedland is bracing for Tropical Cyclone Zelia. (ABC Pilbara: Susan Standen)
Experts say strong winds from Tropical Cyclone Zelia will test homes in Port Hedland on WA's Pilbara coast, despite them being built for the most severe storm conditions.
Zelia is increasing in intensity, and has now reached category five strength as it continues to track slowly towards the coast.
A cyclone emergency warning is currently in place from Pardoo Roadhouse to Whim Creek, and inland west of Marble Bar, including the town of Port Hedland.
Will homes stand the test?
Dr Geoff Boughton from the Cyclone Testing Station at James Cook University said Port Hedland's houses were well-engineered, but many had not been maintained for decades and a number had already withstood severe events.
"For years we've been designing buildings in that part of the world to withstand the highest winds in Australia," he told ABC Radio Perth.
"But low category five is about the design.
Geoff Boughton is an expert in cyclone readiness. (ABC: Tyne Logan)
"It's really going to test the houses in the Pilbara, even those that have been designed for those levels of wind."
When Tropical Cyclone George crossed the coast in 2007, it caused major damage, even with wind speeds that were classified as category 3.
"A number of houses did fail even at those wind speeds because they hadn't been maintained," Dr Boughton said.
Even those that have been well-maintained can be hit by debris.
"Debris is lethal when it comes to buildings and we've seen some pretty big debris flying around in category five events," he said.
Mood shift
Port Hedland deputy mayor Ash Christensen assured the town's residents they were in the best location to deal with winds that could exceed 280 kilometres per hour.
"We definitely have the best codes and the best building standards that you can ask for so if I was to be anywhere it would be Port Hedland," he told ABC Radio Perth.
This satellite image shows Tropical Cyclone Zelia at 7am on Thursday. (Supplied: Bureau of Meteorology/Himawari-9)
Mr Christensen said the mood in the town toward Cyclone Zelia had shifted.
"I've noticed a change in some demeanour and some attitudes in relation to this cyclone and the severity," he said.
"When you're talking about mother nature and cyclones, it's so unpredictable so I think we need to give it all due respect and make sure we're as prepared as we can."
Residents prepare
It's the first time Port Hedland resident Michael Bell has experienced a cyclone and he said the shops have almost sold out of supplies, including water, as the town prepares.
Thousands of sandbags have been handed out in Port Hedland in preparation for the storm. (ABC News: Alistair Bates)
"We weren't taking it that seriously, but a lot of the locals are starting to get a bit worried," he said.
"Hopefully it doesn't get too hectic but it's looking pretty gnarly out there.
"We'll go home, batten down the hatches and see how we go."
Michael Bell stocks up on supplies as the cyclone approaches. (ABC Pilbara: Alistair Bates)
Former Port Hedland Mayor Kelly Howlett lived in the town during Cyclone George and said it's important everyone supported each other over the next 24 hours.
"Know that all our homes and buildings are all category five (rated), you've done all the preparation," she said.
"Everyone handles it in different ways, just don't get anxious and worked up by yourself.
"Reach out, check on neighbours — just acknowledge that we might all react differently to this and respect that."
Learning from Seroja
Dr Boughton said Cyclone Seroja was a turning point for building regulations in WA's Midwest and Pilbara.
The category three system tore a path of destruction through Kalbarri and North Hampton in 2021.
"We started work on changing building codes and standard to lift the level of construction in those regions," he said.
"In May 2025 a new version of the building code will come out that has some changes that will improve the performance of buildings in places like Kalbarri, North Hampton, Marble Bar to prepare them better for cyclones in the future."
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