Rare tropical cyclone that makes landfall in Western Australia

by

Seroja is expected to have widespread impact in the region on Sunday evening local time and at night as it progresses overland to the southeast.

Just a few days ago, the same cyclone wreaked havoc in Indonesia. Strong winds and heavy rains caused flash flooding and landslides.

Thousands of people were displaced and more than 100 homes were badly damaged when the cyclone hit that country.
Tropical cyclones hit the north coast of Australia every year. However, the south-central coast of Western Australia doesn’t see tropical cyclones as often, especially with the power of Seroja.

Had Seroja early on Sunday winds around 110 km / h, which corresponds to a high-end tropical storm in the Atlantic Ocean. The storm is expected to get stronger as it accelerates towards the coast and can reach 120 km / h (75 mph), which is equivalent to a minimum Category 1 hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean.

“A short period of intensification is expected in the next 12 hours as the system moves in a more favorable shear environment,” warned the Joint Typhoon Warning Center on its website.

Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a hurricane force warning off the coast of Gascoyne. Gale-wind warnings were issued for Ningaloo Coast and Geraldton Coast.

“People on the coast between Coral Bay and Lancelin must now prepare for a period of devastating winds that could cause significant damage to homes and property, and heavy rain that could lead to flash flooding,” the Bureau of Meteorology warned in a tropical cyclone watch. . issued Friday.

Residents along the west coast also need to be prepared for dangerous surf, coastal erosion and storm surge.

It has been more than five years since this part of Western Australia was affected by a tropical system

In 2015, Tropical Cyclone Olwyn brought heavy rains and high winds to many of the same areas expected to see the effects of Seroja.

Source