Zelia makes landfall: Severe cyclone reaches Australia

Cyclone Zelia has made landfall in the northwest of Australia, delivering peak gusts of up to 180 mph, making it a Category 5 tropical storm.

Zelia made landfall in the state of Western Australia around midday local time on Friday. As of Friday morning, the heaviest rainfall amounts were up to 10.2 inches recorded at De Grey, and 8.18 inches at Pardoo Station.

Fortunately, this region impacted sparsely populated, though up to 19 in of rainfall is expected in eastern Pilbara during the cyclone's duration.

Flooding and storm damage is expected around the cities of Port Hedland and Karratha. Shops, schools, and airports in the affected have been closed as a precautionary measure.

Zelia was initially expected to make landfall close to Port Hedland but move further southeast in the final hours of its approach.