Errol had been heading west away from Australia before it made a sharp U-turn and is now moving towards the Kimberley coast.
Errol had been heading west away from Australia before it made a sharp U-turn and is now moving towards the Kimberley coast.
By Savannah Meacham
April 17, 2025 — 10.55am
Residents in remote communities in Australia’s northwest have been urged to prepare for damaging winds and heavy rain as a tropical cyclone barrels towards them.
Cyclone Errol is tracking southeast towards the Kimberley coast as a category one system, with wind gusts up to 220km/h at the centre.
It was about 435km northwest of Broome on Thursday night, but is expected to weaken throughout Good Friday and cross the coast as a tropical low north of Derby overnight.
Before that, it will brush the tip of the Dampier Peninsula as a category one system, with the Bureau of Meteorology warning destructive wind gusts up to 140km/h might develop between Cockatoo Island to Beagle Bay.
“It will get very, very windy as this tropical cyclone gets close to the coast, and of course, once it crosses the coast and works onto mainland Australia, it won’t just be wind either,” senior meteorologist Angus Hines said.
“Some pretty significant rain will be on the way with the system as it moves its way onshore during either late Friday night or very early Saturday morning.”
Isolated heavy rainfall is also possible between Kuri Bay and Broome and tides may rise above the normal high tide mark.
A cyclone advice has been issued for communities in the region, including those on the Kimberley coastal islands.
Authorities are urging people to get ready for dangerous weather by preparing their homes and securing items, including boats and caravans.
Travellers, visitors, tourists and locals should monitor weather conditions and review their travel within the warning area over the Easter long weekend, a Department of Fire and Emergency Services alert said on Thursday.
Roads and tracks on and around the Dampier Peninsula could become impassable or close with little notice.
Northern WA has already had one cyclone this season as ex-tropical cyclone Sean reached a category three but steered away from the coastline.
It brought wind gusts of 104km/h and heavy rainfall, with Karratha copping 274mm in 24 hours, exceeding its highest annual rain record.
Flooding was reported in some communities and trees fell on properties and cars during the storm.
AAP
Discover more from World Byte News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
