Blog

Mar 28, 2023

Cyclone Isla upgraded to category five by BoM in latest update as storm tracks closer to Port Hedland

Tropical Cyclone Ilsa is expected to cross Western Australia’s coast as a

Tropical Cyclone Ilsa is expected to cross Western Australia's coast as a highest-severity category five storm, packing winds up to 285 kilometres per hour.

Initially expected to make landfall as a category four system, the Bureau of Meteorology forecast for the cyclone was upgraded as it churned closer to the regional centre of Port Hedland on Thursday afternoon.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Tropical Cyclone Ilsa upgraded to category 5 storm.

Watch the latest news and stream for free on 7plus >>

Supermarket shelves sit empty as Cyclone Ilsa continues to strengthen, as residents of Western Australia's Pilbara region brace for severe weather conditions in the area.

Residents scrambled to stock up as dairy and meat items were stripped off the Woolworths Port Hedland supermarket shelves, with many preparing for the worst to come.

Pilbara ABC journalist Michelle Stanley posted a video and a photo of the empty supermarket shelves on Tuesday, days out from the extreme weather system's expected landfall late on Thursday.

"Thoughts and prayers for Port Hedland supermarket staff today," Stanley wrote on Twitter.

"Needless to say the water aisle was also rather bare."

A Woolworths spokesperson told 7NEWS.com.au it was working to restock shelves in Woolworths stores across Derby, Broome and Port Hedland, with key deliveries of meat, fruits and vegetables on the way.

"We understand this is an unnerving time for northern WA communities as they prepare for Cyclone Ilsa, so soon after January's devastating floods," the spokesperson said.

"Our teams are working hard to position additional stock of key products in Derby, Broome and Port Hedland ahead of the cyclone's predicted landfall on Thursday to boost local supply.

"Our teams are continuing to replenish shelves, and we already have additional deliveries of meat, fruit and veg on their way to Port Hedland.

"Our emergency cyclone containers have also been restocked with essentials to support the community."

Woolworths stores in Derby, Broome and Port Hedland recently introduced a two-pack purchase limit on certain products such as pork, lamb, beef, mince and poultry.

These areas are expected to be impacted by Cyclone Ilsa when it makes landfall.

The cyclone will now likely cross the coast as the highest category of storm about 150km to the northeast, near Pardoo Roadhouse, late on Thursday rather than early Friday.

Bureau spokesman Todd Smith said category five cyclones were "incredibly dangerous".

"That is going to cause a heap of damage," he told reporters.

"Any houses that aren't built to code are going to suffer extensive damage ... Fortunately, it looks like the system is going to cross in a relatively unpopulated part of the coast."

Department of Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm said the cyclone would have a "significant impact" on communities in the warning area.

"The strength of the cyclone will be maintained as it moves quickly inland," he said.

"All the preparation work that's gone into those remote Aboriginal communities, the mine sites and the town and the pastoral stations is really critical to make sure people are staying safe."

Evacuation centres have been opened in South Hedland, Newman, Marble Bar and Nullagine.

"If your plan is to leave your residence or place of work and go to an evacuation centre, you need to do that," Klemm said.

Communities from Bidyadanga to Whim Creek, including Port Hedland and inland to Marble Bar, Nullagine and Telfer, have been urged to make final preparations and find shelter.

Abnormally high tides, flooding, destructive winds and up to 300mm of rain are forecast.

Workers and tourists at Eighty Mile Beach caravan park and nearby Wallal Downs cattle station have been evacuated, along with non-critical workers from Newcrest's Telfer mine, and Fortescue Metal Group and BHP's sites across the region.

Extra emergency workers, essential supplies and aircraft have been sent to the area and Port Hedland's massive iron ore export port has been closed.

Mayor Peter Carter said on Thursday afternoon an eerie quiet had descended over the town of 16,000 as residents prepared for impact.

"What's happening with this cyclone is very unusual and a lot of people are getting very worried," he said.

"The longer it stays out in the ocean the bigger it's going to get (and) the more powerful it's going to get."

Ilsa is expected to track into the Northern Territory late on Friday.

Stream Free on