Tropical Cyclone Ilsa Brings Record-Breaking Winds to Australia

Cyclone Ilsa strengthened to a Category 5 storm, the highest on Australia’s storm scale, just before it hit the coast near the sparsely populated town of Pardoo, a 19-hour drive northeast of Perth. The storm set a record for sustained 10-minute winds, with average winds of 218 km/h, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

WA Emergency Services spokesman Peter Sutton said the agency had not received any calls for assistance and that populated areas appeared to have been spared major damage from the storm. However, he said there were unconfirmed reports of widespread damage in some remote areas and that aerial surveys would be carried out as soon as conditions allowed.

Ilsa has weakened to a Category 3 storm, but the meteorological agency warned that extreme weather could still bring wind gusts of up to 200 km/h. Authorities said it would remain a severe tropical storm as heavy rains in some areas threatened to cause flash floods. Rescuers and emergency services also issued a series of red alerts on April 14, asking people to stay indoors for safety.

Tropical Cyclone Ilsa formed and intensified over the Indian Ocean, forcing the port of Port Hedland, one of the world's largest iron ore shipping hubs, to evacuate all ships and boats in anticipation of the storm. The area is home to iron ore and gold mines, extensive cattle ranches and indigenous communities.

According to VNA