6:50pm NZDT / 1:50pm AWST — Category 5 Tropical Cyclone Zelia has made landfall, about 55km north-east of Port Hedland at roughly 12:30pm AWST (5:30pm NZDT).

Technical landfall is when the centre of the eye of the storm (the middle of the middle) crosses land.

As of 1:50pm AWST (6:50pm NZDT) winds were still increasing in Port Hedland with winds sustained at 80km/h and gusting 109km/h. Zelia has moved 5km closer to Port Hedland as it slowly tracks southwards inland, this is helping strengthen winds further in the town. The most destructive winds lie between Port Hedland and the eye of the cyclone.

🚨🌀🇦🇺It appears from rain radar that Category5️⃣ Severe Tropical #CycloneZelia has made landfall about 55km north-east of #PortHedland, #Pilbara.

Landfall is when the centre of the eye moves over land (the middle of the middle). pic.twitter.com/jlQHVHg8as

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) February 14, 2025

Category 5 is the most powerful tropical cyclone category.

View the live Port Hedland rain radar here.

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8am AWST / 1pm NZDT information:

• Movement Towards: south southeast (160 deg)
• Speed of Movement: 4 knots (7 km/h)
• Maximum 10-Minute Wind: 110 knots (205 km/h)
• Maximum 3-Second Wind Gust: 155 knots (285 km/h)
• Central Pressure: 927 hPa

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🚨⚠️🌀#CycloneZelia is moving south-east with landfall perhaps looking to be east of #PortHedland.

It's worth noting the most destructive winds fan from the outer edges of the eye – this looks to include #PortHedland.

Cyclones can also #wobble left & right as they track… pic.twitter.com/corXZC7PYL

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) February 14, 2025

🌀🚨⚠️#Australia: #Pilbara: Severe Tropical #CycloneZELIA remains CATEGORY FIVE (5️⃣) – the most destructive level.

Movement Towards: south southeast (160 deg)
Speed of Movement: 4 knots (7 km/h)
Maximum 10-Minute Wind: 110 knots (205 km/h)
Maximum 3-Second Wind Gust: 155 knots… pic.twitter.com/bOQeQ5nErq

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) February 14, 2025