Powerful storm Cyclone Ilsa hits Western Australia

Category : International Published on: April 17 2023

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A powerful cyclone has hit Western Australia as a category five storm, setting a wind speed record but sparing populated areas from major damage.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Ilsa struck the state close to Port Hedland, the world's largest iron ore export hub.
The cyclone is the strongest to hit the region in some 14 years.
Winds of 135.5 miles per hour (218km/h) were recorded on Bedout Island just off the coast as the storm touched down, setting a preliminary 10-minute sustained wind record for Australia.
The previous record was 120.5mph (194km/h) - winds that were recorded when Cyclone George slammed into the country in 2007.
The last category five cyclone to hit Western Australia was Cyclone Laurence in 2009. Two years earlier, another category five storm, Cyclone George, killed three people as it tore through mining camps just south of Port Hedland.