30 Dec 2013

Cyclone alert in Western Australia

3:39 pm on 30 December 2013

A red alert has been issued for Port Hedland and South Hedland putting residents in lockdown as a category 3 cyclone tracks towards Western Australia's Pilbara coast.

Cyclone Christine is expected to bring massive storm surges of up to five metres, flooding and winds of up to 200km/h when it makes landfall between Karratha and Port Hedland early on Tuesday.

Australia's biggest iron ore miners have been forced to shut down operations and with a red alert now in place, residents must stay indoors and turn off gas, water and electricity.

Authorities say a storm surge of up to five metres along the coast is likely to cause the most damage.