Cyclone Christine Heading to Shore

A Cyclone WARNING is current for coastal areas from Cape Leveque to Whim Creek, including Broome and Port Hedland.

A Cyclone WATCH is current for the coastal areas from Whim Creek to Exmouth, including Karratha and Onslow, extending inland to Paraburdoo and Newman.

At 2:00 am WST Tropical Cyclone Christine, Category 1 was estimated to be 270 kilometres northwest of Broome and 470 kilometres north northeast of Port Hedland and
moving southwest at 12 kilometres per hour parallel to the coast.

Tropical Cyclone Christine lies off the Kimberley coast and is expected to develop further as it moves towards the Pilbara coast.

Gales with gusts to 100 kilometres per hour are possible on the west Kimberley coast between Cape Leveque and Broome during Sunday. Heavy rainfall is expected
on Sunday in coastal areas of the west Kimberley and adjacent inland parts.

As the tropical cyclone begins to approach the Pilbara coast later on Sunday gales are expected to extend further west to Whim Creek, including Port
Hedland.

During Monday gales and heavy rainfall are expected to extend to Karratha and possibly as far west as Exmouth, and then to the inland Pilbara Late Monday and
on Tuesday. If Christine continues to develop as expected a severe tropical cyclone impact on the Pilbara coast is likely late on Monday.

DFES State Emergency Service (SES) advises of the following community alerts:

BLUE ALERT:

People in or near coastal areas between Dampier Peninsula and Onslow including Broome, Port Hedland, South Hedland, Whim Creek, Roebourne, Point Samson, Wickham, Karratha, Dampier and Onslow and inland to Pannawonica need to prepare for cyclonic weather and organise an emergency kit including first aid kit, torch, portable radio, spare batteries, food and water.

People needing SES assistance can call 132 500. In a life threatening situation call 000. For more safety tips visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au

Details of the Tropical Cyclone Christine at 2:00 am WST:
.Centre located near…… 16.4 degrees South 120.3 degrees East
.Location accuracy…….. within 45 kilometres
.Recent movement………. towards the southwest at 12 kilometres per hour
.Wind gusts near centre… 120 kilometres per hour
.Severity category…….. 1
.Central pressure……… 989 hectoPascals

The next advice will be issued by 6:00 am WST Sunday 29 December.

Cyclone advices and State Emergency Service Community Alerts are available by phoning 1300 659 210