One dead as severe cyclone batters Pilbara coast

A severe tropical cyclone that hit Western Australia’s Pilbara region late last night (Thursday, March 8) claimed one life and injured several others at an inland rail construction camp. Cyclone George, then a category four but now downgraded to category three, crossed the coast at Port Hedland at 2200 hrs yesterday causing widespread damage to homes and toppling trees. The early lockdown of the Pilbara’s two major iron ore ports appeared to have averted any major damage to the ports, but a rail camp for Fortescue Metals Group workers has taken a direct hit. Western Australian police said one person had died in the incident 100 km south of Port Hedland and authorities had not ruled out the possibility of more fatalities. The construction camps, made up of transportable homes, house several hundred people and are typically designed to withstand severe weather. Up to 20 others were injured, but ambulance crews had been unable to reach them late this morning. Winds of up to 275 km&#47h (150 knots) caused power and phone services around Port Hedland to be cut, destroying fences, downing trees and tearing roofs off houses. Port Hedland harbour master Lindsay Copeman said the port seemed to have been protected from the 275 km&#47h wind gusts. &#8220We certainly had some reasonable gusts, [but&#93 the effects were more the heavy side of a category three rather than a category four,&#8221 Captain Copeman said. &#8220There’s still gale force winds here now, with gusts up to 60 or 70 knots so I’d say that it will probably be another couple of hours before it eases.&#8221 Port Hedland was still locked down on red alert late this morning, preventing staff from leaving protected areas to inspect the damage. Capt Copeman said the greatest threat was likely to be flooding and, at this stage, the structural damage should be limited. &#8220We got all the ships out before the gale force winds hit and we’ve got a lot of vessels, construction barges and the Leonardo Da Vinci on cyclone moorings,&#8221 he said. &#8220They’ve sat through the night comfortably, but it will be a while before we get back into shipping.&#8221 There were estimated to be up to 10 vessels sent out of the port to ride out the cyclone yesterday. Capt Copeman said the vessels should have been well out to sea, meaning it would take some time for them to return to the port to resume loading. Port Hedland could re-open tomorrow, he said. Port of Dampier harbour master Vic Justice said Cyclone George was no longer a threat, but that a second storm presently 170 miles south of Christmas Island was being carefully monitored. The bureau has told the Dampier Port Authority that it expected Cyclone Jacob, now a category two, to head towards the port over the next few days. Capt Justice said the port would re-open on a limited basis to load one gas tanker and possibly an iron ore bulker this afternoon. &#8220We’re looking now to get the supply boats in to get fuel and do crew changes and also for them to prepare to ride out Cyclone Jacob,&#8221 he said. Preliminary inspections at the port of Walcott indicate that the port has not sustained any major damage. The port was due to re-open at 1200 hrs local time, but strong winds were expected to prevent any berthing. Walcott and the port of Onslow both closed early yesterday when it was clear that Cyclone George had changed direction and was moving towards the coast. Most of the offshore oil and gas operations to the northwest of the Pilbara have been affected, with many closing on Tuesday and Wednesday. The North West Shelf Venture’s offshore gas rigs have been shut down, including Mutineer-Exeter and Legendre operations. The bureau is warning ships within 65 miles of Port Hedland to expect very rough to high seas and moderate to heavy swells. Widespread heavy rain of up to 200 mm was likely to bring flooding to the Pilbara over the next 24 hrs, the bureau said.

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