Western Australia | Tropical Cyclone Iggy now a Cat 2 storm – Watches and Warnings

Western Australia | 28 Jan 2012

TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 14
Issued at 5:54 pm WST on Saturday 28 January 2012

A Cyclone WARNING is current for coastal areas from Mardie to Coral Bay,
including Exmouth and Onslow.
A Cyclone WATCH is current between Coral Bay to Cape Cuvier and adjacent inland
parts of the west Pilbara.

At 5:00 pm WST Tropical Cyclone Iggy, Category 2 was estimated to be
425 kilometres west northwest of Exmouth and
470 kilometres northwest of Coral Bay and
moving south southwest at 5 kilometres per hour.

Tropical Cyclone Iggy is expected to steadily intensify over the next 24 hours.
Iggy has been moving slowly south southwest during the day but may move
southeast towards the coast overnight and during Sunday before resuming a more
southerly track.

Gales may develop near the Pilbara coast between Ningaloo and Mardie on Sunday
morning including Exmouth and Onslow possibly extending south to Coral Bay late
on Sunday. There is the slight risk of destructive winds in excess of 125
kilometres per hour developing in the Exmouth-Ningaloo region later on Sunday
or Monday. 

Heavy rainfall is most likely in near coastal parts of the warning area later
on Sunday and Monday. Tides will be higher than expected between Mardie and
Cape Cuvier. There will continue to be large swells along the Pilbara and
Kimberley coasts. 

FESA State Emergency Service (SES) advises of the following community alerts:

BLUE ALERT: People in or near coastal and island communities between Mardie and
Coral Bay including the communities of Mardie, Onslow, Exmouth and Coral Bay
need to prepare for cyclonic weather and organise an emergency kit including
first aid kit, torch, portable radio, spare batteries, food and water.

Communities between Whim Creek and Cape Cuvier should listen for the next
advice.

People needing SES assistance can call 132 500. In a life threatening situation
call 000. For more safety tips visit www.fesa.wa.gov.au

Details of Tropical Cyclone Iggy at 5:00 pm WST:
.Centre located near...... 20.2 degrees South 110.5 degrees East
.Location accuracy........ within 45 kilometres
.Recent movement.......... towards the south southwest at 5 kilometres per hour
.Wind gusts near centre... 130 kilometres per hour and INTENSIFYING
.Severity category........ 2
.Central pressure......... 975 hectoPascals

The next advice will be issued by 9:00 pm WST Saturday 28 January.

Cyclone advices and State Emergency Service Community Alerts are available by
dialling  1300 659 210 

A map showing the track of the cyclone is available at:
http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/cyclone