Zelia makes landfall: Severe cyclone reaches Australia

Cyclone Zelia has made landfall in the north-west of Australia, delivering peak gusts of up to 180 mph, making it a Category 5 tropical storm.

Zelia made landfall in the state of Western Australia around midday local time on Friday. The system has since weakened to a Category 4 storm while moving south.

In a 24-hour period, the current heaviest rainfall amounts are 261 mm recorded at De Grey, and 208 mm at Pardoo Station.

Fortunately, this region impacted sparsely populated, though up to 500 mm of rainfall is expected in eastern Pilbara during the cyclone's duration.

Flooding and storm damage is expected around the cities of Port Hedland and Karratha. Shops, schools, and airports in the affected are have been closed as a precautionary measure.

Zelia was initially expected to make landfall close to Port Hedland but moves further south-east in the final hours of its approach.