Western Australia prepares for cyclone overnight

A red alert has been issued for people in some areas of Western Australia's Kimberley and Pilbara region as Tropical Cyclone Christine is expected to hit the coast around midnight on Monday. The Australian Bureau of Meteology (BoM) said Cyclone Christine will continue to intensify and is expected to cross the coast between Karratha and Port Hedland, about 1,200 km north of Western Australian capital city of Perth on Monday night or early on Tuesday morning. "There is a threat to lives and homes. You are in danger and need to act immediately," the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) of Western Australia warned on its website. The DFES also informed that a relocation point has been set up in south Hedland where about 85 people have taken shelter. An emergency welfare center has also been opened in Karratha. The DFES State Emergency Service (SES) and Volunteer Emergency Service (VES) advised people to get ready to move to the strongest, safest part of their house, keep the emergency kit at hand, stay away from doors and windows, and keep them closed, stay indoors until the authorities give the All Clear notice. BoM said gales with gusts to 120km/h and heavy rainfall are occurring between Bidyadanga and Whim Creek, including Port Hedland, and should extend west overnight. Very destructive winds with gusts in excess of 200km/h are likely near the centre as the cyclone crosses the coast, while destructive winds with gusts in excess of 130km/h are expected to extend inland on Monday night as the cyclone moves south, BoM forecast. Heavy rainfall is expected near the cyclone track and flood warnings have been issued for the Pilbara region, as well as dangerous storm tides and damaging waves on Monday night. Local power supplier Horizon Power said 176 customers are without power in South Hedland and supply will remain out until the cyclone passes.