Biggest storm in 30 years leaves Pilbara ports unscathed

<p>Western Australia’s big two bulk ports plan to re-open today (Monday, March 12) after reporting no significant damage from five days of severe weather.</p> <p>The category four Cyclone George forced the closure of ports between Port Hedland and the port of Onslow last week, tearing roofs from houses and killing at least three people in the Pilbara region.</p> <p>Cyclone George whipped up 275 km&#47h winds when it crossed the WA coast near Port Hedland on Friday before devastating an inland rail construction camp operated by Fortescue Metals Group.</p> <p>Two of the three fatalities were at the FMG camp where demountable houses were destroyed, injuring at least 28 people.</p> <p>Despite claims the storm was the strongest in 30 years, there was no major damage to port facilities, which had all locked down well before George hit.</p> <p>Port Hedland deputy harbour master Joseph Pereira said the wind strength was near a category five, but the town and port had faired well given the circumstances.</p> <p>The port has begun a phased re-opening, despite the Bureau of Meteorology’s prediction that a second storm, category one Cyclone Jacob, would cross the Pilbara coast by midday today.</p> <p>Mr Pereira said Port Hedland remained on yellow alert, but had re-opened the anchorages and would begin berthing ships tonight.</p> <p>Eighteen ships are waiting at the port, almost double the port’s normal operating queue.</p> <p>BHP Billiton is estimated to have lost about 1.5m tonnes of iron ore shipments during the five-day shutdown.</p> <p>The port of Dampier, which has been closed since Wednesday, could take a month to return to its normal queue.</p> <p>Dampier Port Authority chief executive Steve Lewis said that while the port had not suffered any significant structural damage or flooding, it would probably take at least a fortnight for operations to return to normal.</p> <p>&#8220It might even stretch to a month [because&#93 Rio Tinto will have all of the vessels that were booked in, plus all the ones backed up,&#8221 Mr Lewis said.</p> <p>&#8220Last year it took them around a month before they cleared the backlog and were back to their normal rate.&#8221</p> <p>Dampier has re-opened its anchorages and will re-open this afternoon or early this evening.</p> <p>The bureau expected Cyclone Jacob to bring gale force winds and heavy rains before conditions ease as the cyclone moves inland.</p> <br />