In anticipation of Cyclone Ilsa, authorities in Western Australia have declared a “red alert” and ordered evacuations. The weather service classified “Ilsa” as a storm in the highest category five and warned of “severe effects”: wind gusts of up to 315 km/h could knock over caravans, uproot trees and turn debris into “projectiles”; warnings were also given of flash floods. “Ilsa” is one of the most violent storms in the region in a decade.
The cyclone should make landfall in northern Western Australia later this evening or tomorrow morning, according to the weather service. In Port Hedland, one of the world’s most important transhipment points for iron ore, the ships were brought to safety as a precaution after “Ilsa” had once again gained strength over the Indian Ocean.
The storm could then move further inland. A severe weather warning has been issued for the vast but sparsely populated area between Australia’s west coast and the outback desert. Australian experts have been pointing out for years that climate change is increasing the risk of natural disasters.
