Warnings for far north as cyclone nears coast

As tropical cyclone Hayley approaches landfall, residents of Australia’s far north are being told to leave if they are not prepared.

The system is expected to be a category three storm when it reaches the Dampier Peninsula in northern Western Australia on Tuesday night.

The Bureau of Meteorology warned that winds of up to 200 kilometers per hour were possible between Beagle Bay and Cape Leveque, with heavy rain and flash flooding possible.

Damaging winds of 100 km/h could develop in the area as early as Tuesday morning.

“If you live in the Kimberley region, now is the time to start thinking about preparing your tropical cyclone kit,” meteorologist Sarah Scully said on Monday night.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services said Dampier Peninsula residents should leave the area if they were not prepared.

“There is a possible threat to life and homes due to the hurricane approaching the region,” the warning said.

Residents should prepare emergency kits that include a week’s worth of canned food and water, as well as a first aid kit, medication, cash and a battery-powered radio to listen for alerts.

The department says an evacuation center is open at the Broome Recreation and Aquatic Center for those in the warning area.

Residents who choose to stay home need to secure loose outdoor items, cover vehicles, close cyclone shutters and make sure pets are safe.

Across the country, communities in Queensland continue to endure heavy monsoon rains and flash floods.

The bureau warned that six-hour rainfall totals on Tuesday could reach up to 160mm, although the rain forecast could drop below heavy levels later in the day.