Western Australia has been grappling with the intense effects of Severe Tropical Cyclone Sean, which intensified to Category 3 status as it approached the Pilbara coastline, bringing with it heavy rain and damaging winds. The cyclone has severely impacted the iron ore export hub of Port Hedland, forcing the closure of operations as safety protocols were implemented.
According to reports from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), as of early Monday morning, Cyclone Sean was located approximately 205 kilometers northwest of Exmouth and was exhibiting sustained winds near its center of up to 150 kilometers per hour, with gusts reaching as high as 205 kilometers per hour. The cyclone was moving southwest at 20 kilometers per hour, prompting concerns about flooding along the coastal areas between Onslow and Exmouth.
"A storm tide is forecast between Onslow and Exmouth during Monday afternoon's high tide, with large waves potentially inducing minor flooding along the foreshore," indicated BoM. The weather agency also advised residents living in areas at risk of flooding to take protective measures for their properties.
Port Hedland, known as the world's largest iron ore export facility, was closed over the weekend due to the cyclone, significantly disrupting operations for major mining companies such as BHP Group and Fortescue Metals. Ports were expected to reopen on Monday after the Pilbara Ports Authority issued the all-clear following the cyclone's departure from the area.
BHP stated, "We recommenced loading of vessels after Pilbara Ports Authority gave the all-clear, and our Port and Rail teams are returning to normal operations after high rainfall in Port Hedland.” Fortunately, the company reported no major damage resulting from the cyclone.
Rio Tinto also indicated its intention to restore operations following damage assessments to its rail and port infrastructure. Fortescue confirmed it sustained no significant damage across its Pilbara operations.
The cyclone has produced record rainfall throughout the Pilbara region, with Karratha experiencing unprecedented levels of precipitation. Over 274.4 millimeters of rain was reported there within 24 hours, surpassing the previous monthly record of 263.4 millimeters, which had held for more than 50 years. The rainfall makes this the wettest day on record for Karratha, illustrating the cyclone's considerable impact on the region.
While the cyclone's winds have begun to weaken, its path has raised alarms for residents as it continues its track parallel to the coast. The reality of the severe weather has traders and local officials watching closely, hoping for less impact from flooding as the cyclone moves away.
The cyclone also contributed to extremely high temperatures across parts of Western Australia. With temperatures soaring close to 50 degrees Celsius in towns like Geraldton, the region is not only battling the cyclone but also enduring heatwave conditions.
"Parts of WA have sweltered through the day as temperatures reached close to 50 degrees," noted 9News, highlighting the dual challenge faced by the region.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Sean is the second tropical cyclone of the Australian cyclone season, following Tropical Cyclone Robyn, which affected Indonesia but had minimal impact on Australia. Typically, Australia experiences between nine to eleven tropical cyclones annually within its area of responsibility.
Despite the destruction and challenges posed by Cyclone Sean, meteorologists maintain hope for the upcoming days as the system is expected to track out to sea. While the cyclone's immediate threat may be lifted, the ramifications of the extreme weather will linger as communities assess damage, repair infrastructure, and prepare for possible weather events as the season progresses.