WA: Cyclone alert upgraded

AAP General News (Australia)
12-14-1999
WA: Cyclone alert upgraded

PERTH, Dec 14 AAP - Six communities including Port Hedland were placed on alert today
as Cyclone John, packing 250kph winds, continued its advance toward the north-west coast
of Western Australia.

Residents of Port and South Hedland, Whim Creek, Warralong, Yandeyarra and Pardoo had
been warned the cyclone would hit their districts within 12 hours, a State Emergency Service
spokeswoman said.

"They've basically been told the batten down, to close their shutters, board up their
windows, tie down their trailers and caravans and make sure they've got enough water and
food," she said.

Six more communities were on blue alert, a warning the cyclone may hit within 48 hours.

The Bureau of Meteorology today warned that very destructive and dangerous winds with
gusts to 250kph would occur overnight or during tomorrow near the centre of the cyclone.

Dangerous storm tides of up to seven metres were expected in coastal towns as the cyclone
crossed the coast which was likely to result in heavy flooding.

Heavy rain and flooding was predicted across the Pilbara region over the next few days.

At 10am (WST) cyclone John was 260km north-northwest of Port Hedland and 290km north-northeast
of Karratha, and moving south at 10kph.

The bureau was predicting it will be near the coast early tomorrow.

AAP alm/rsm/br e

KEYWORD: JOHN 2ND LEAD

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