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PERTH - At least three people are believed to have died when category four Cyclone George slammed into Western Australia's north overnight, says Premier Alan Carpenter.
Category four cyclone George crossed the coast east of Port Hedland at about 10pm (WDT), tearing off roofs, mangling fences, downing trees over power lines and cutting off power and phone services to most local towns.
Emergency services said they were expecting "lots of injuries" and were preparing to fly rescuers to the Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) rail construction camp.
But rescue attempts were being hampered by continuing strong winds as the cyclone moved south.
Emergency authorities believe people may have been trapped inside wrecked portable homes.
WA fire and emergency services spokesman Allen Gale said it was possible more than one person had died at the mining camp, where people live in transportable homes.
"It's certainly possible because they're talking about quite a degree of damage," he told Sky News.
"Lots of injuries ... we're expecting multiples, more than one ... five 10, 15 injuries," Mr Gale said.
"There's hundreds of people in these camps. We understand there's over 300 people in one of the camps, 200 people in another camp, another 300 in another camp.
The severe tropical cyclone gusted with destructive winds of up to 275km/h according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), affecting Port Hedland, South Hedland, Wedgefield and some outlying towns.
SES Port Hedland manager Derek Jones said reports of damage were just starting to come in but its full extent would not be known until conditions calmed and it was safe for crews to properly assess the stricken areas.
Homes had been deroofed and fences and power lines had been brought down, he said.
"We'll have teams out and about as soon as we're mobile," he said.
"At this stage we ask residents to stay inside until it's all clear.
The cyclone is now moving over inland parts of the Pilbara, south of Port Hedland towards Yandeyarra and West Angeles and the weather bureau is warning destructive winds are possible today.
A red alert has been issued with people in or near coastal areas of Port Hedland, Whim Creek, Pardoo, Marble Bar and Nullagine urged to move to shelter.
The weather bureau has warned wind gusts of up to 150km/h are possible for Port Hedland during the day.
BOM meteorologist Rabi Rivett said the warning would likely be downgraded during today as winds eased this afternoon.
Hundreds of people were evacuated yesterday from low lying areas of the Pilbara as West Australian communities braced for the onslaught of the powerful cyclone.
George is the first cyclone of the WA season, which has an average of five cyclones between November and April.
- AAP
