Cyclone Ilsa: Australia Braces For Strongest Storm In A Decade

Australia’s northwest region is bracing for Cyclone Ilsa.

The storm, likely to be the strongest to hit the northwest in nearly 10 years, could bring “very destructive” winds of up to 275kmph (170mph), the Bureau of Meteorology said on Thursday.

Food and fuel have been delivered to remote areas, and people have been advised to stock up on essentials including water.

A yellow alert, advising residents to be ready to shelter from a cyclone, has also been issued.

Port Hedland Mayor Peter Carter said the destructive winds could turn flying pieces of debris into “missiles in the air”.

“That’s what causes all the damage, that is what injures people.

“Everyone is on edge. They understand that cyclones are what they are. They’re very, very unpredictable,” He said.

The Ilsa wind is expected to make landfall late on Thursday or early on Friday and could affect a 600km (373-mile) stretch of land from just north of Port Hedland eastwards to just south of tourist town Broome, the weather bureau also said.