Ex-cyclone Christine dumping heaving rain as it sweeps inland

EX-TROPICAL Cyclone Christine is dumping heavy rain on inland WA as it sweeps south-east through the Goldfields.  
 
The Cyclone, which smashed the Pilbara with 170km/h winds has now been downgraded to below cyclone strength as it continues to sweep inland through Western Australia, leaving behind largely superficial damage to trees, fences and roofs.

Christine crossed the Pilbara coast between Whim Creek and Roebourne at about midnight on Monday as a category-three cyclone, but the system was weakening as it tracked southeast into the Gascoyne region.

Marble Bar copped 140mm out of the cyclone, while Meekatharra has had 68mm, Wiluna 60mm and Kalgoorlie 20mm to 7am today.

At 2am Christine, was estimated to be 145km east northeast of Meekatharra and 55km north-west of Wiluna and moving southeast at 34km/h.
"Although Ex-TC Christine has weakened below tropical cyclone intensity, damaging wind gusts are likely to continue on the north-eastern side of the system during Wednesday as it moves quickly across south-eastern WA,'' the Bureau warned.

Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected near the track. A Flood Watch has been

issued for the Goldfields.

DFES State Emergency Service (SES) advises of the following community alerts:
ALL CLEAR WITH CAUTION: People in inland parts of the northern Gascoyne,

including the Collier Ranges, Three Rivers, Kumarina, Granite Peak and Wiluna

are advised that the threat of cyclonic weather has passed.

People close to the track of ex-TC Christine still need to take caution when

   


Cyclone havoc



Cyclone Christine has battered the northwest - damaging homes, uprooting trees and causing widespread blackouts
   
heading outside and heed the Severe Weather Warning that has been issued.

Roebourne councillor Robin Vandenberg said many trees had fallen but there was no significant structural damage.

"Looking at the area around us from the front yard, it's all just superficial damage," he told AAP on Tuesday.

Mr Vandenberg said on a scale of one to 10, he would rate the cyclone as a seven in severity.
"It's not the worst I've experienced, but it's not at the low end either," he said.

Mr Vandenberg has lived in his house for 30 years and said the older buildings had stood the test of time against cyclones, while some of the newer buildings had suffered leaks.

"We have a big patio at the front and back and there were some roars because of the tin but nothing came off," he said.

A red alert remains in place for people in or near Tom Price and Paraburdoo, where residents have been warned to stay indoors and away from doors and windows.
A blue alert is current for people in or near Newman and inland to the Collier Ranges and Three Rivers including Kumarina and east to Granite Peak and southwest to Wiluna.

The all-clear has been given for people between De Grey and Mardie including Marble Bar, Port Hedland, South Hedland, Whim Creek, Roebourne, Wickham, Point Samson, Karratha, Dampier and Pannawonica.

Damaging winds with gusts up to 120km/h are still possible near the cyclone centre and flood warnings have been issued.

Severe winds are likely to continue on the north-eastern side of the system during Wednesday as it moves quickly across south-eastern WA, the bureau says.

A spokeswoman for the Port Hedland Port Authority said work had begun on assessing any storm damage at the port.

"Initial assessments indicate only minor storm damage to some of the port infrastructure, with one small craft sunk and located off her mooring," she said.

Further surveys of the channel and beacons were being conducted, with the return of vessels to the inner anchorage already underway. Australia's biggest iron ore miners - Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton and Fortescue Metals Group - are also assessing the impact of the cyclone on their operations.

A Rio Tinto spokesman said the company's coastal and West Pilbara operations remained closed.

State Emergency Services (SES) volunteers have had more than 56 calls related to roof damage, broken fences, fallen trees and flooding.

Horizon Power says about 7000 homes are without electricity in Roebourne, Karratha and Point Samson.

More than 25 customers are also without power in the Port Hedland area, and there are damaged transmission lines in Karratha, Roebourne and Port Hedland. AAP anr/ldj/pmu