Broome told to prepare for possible cyclone

Broome residents have been urged to prepare their homes for a possible cyclone, with a tropical low tracking towards the Kimberley.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services issued a cyclone advice at 3.55pm for people in or near Kuri Bay to Port Hedland, in the Kimberley and Pilbara, including the tourist town, as well as Derby, Dampier Peninsula, Eighty Mile Beach and Pardoo.

As of 2pm, the low was 200km north-east of Kununurra and was forecast to move south-west across the north Kimberley tomorrow,

It is expected to move off the west Kimberley coast tomorrow night or Friday morning.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, it has a “high chance of developing into a tropical cyclone by Friday afternoon, when it should be located off the west Kimberley coast.”

DFES advises residents to prepare their homes inside and out and organise and emergency kit with a portable battery-operated radio, torch, spare batteries and first aid kit.

Six unsealed Shire of Broome roads remain closed from damage caused by a low pressure system on January 29.

The Broome to Cape Leveque Road remained closed to vehicles in excess of four tonnes and to all road trains.

For State Emergency Service assistance call 132 500 and in a life-threatening situation call 000.