Residents urged to stay indoors as Cyclone Luana hits Kimberley coast

The Bureau of Meteorology has upgraded a cyclone on the Kimberley coast to a category 2 and is urging residents in the immediate area to shelter indoors.

This afternoon the bureau had advised that Tropical Cyclone Luana has strengthened and is crossing the Kimberley coast between Beagle Bay and Cape Leveque.

According to a Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokesperson, wind and rain impacts are occurring from north of Broome to Kuri Bay and are expected to extend south this evening and overnight.

“Luana may remain near or move over the waters of King Sound tonight, and may maintain category 2 intensity until it is close to Derby,” they said.

“It will weaken below tropical cyclone strength during Sunday morning after moving further inland.”

DFES has advised that destructive wind blasts up to 130km/h may occur near the system centre between Beagle Bay and Cockatoo Island today as the system moves further over land.

“These destructive wind gusts may extend to Derby tonight if the system maintains strength longer than forecast,” the department said.

“Gales and damaging wind gusts to 120 km/h currently extend from north of Broome to Kuri Bay.

“These gales may extend south to Derby and Broome this afternoon and evening, and to adjacent inland areas overnight tonight.”

DFES has also warned of heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the northwest Kimberley district, including the coast and adjacent inland areas today and
Sunday.