Cyclone intensifies as it heads to land

PERTH - Tropical Cyclone Laurence has been upgraded to a category five storm as it strengthens and moves closer to Western Australia's Pilbara coast.

The Bureau of Meteorology said Laurence was intensifying as it moved south, less than 100km off Eighty Mile Beach. Destructive winds are lashing the coast, with gusts of 285km/h increasing a risk of dangerous storm tides.

Laurence is estimated to be 75km north of Wallal and 240km northeast of Port Hedland, moving south at 6km/h.

Communities are on red alert and the Fire and Emergency Services Authority has issued a warning, urging them to immediately seek secure shelter.

The Great Northern Highway has been closed between Broome and Roebuck.

WA State Emergency Services spokesman Allen Gale said heavy rainfall and strong winds posed the biggest threat to people in the area.

"There's probably less than 100 people who reside in the area, but at this time of year, there's lots of people moving around coming down south for Christmas," Gale said.

"Those people just need to sit tight, wait for the cyclone to pass, and then watch out for rising rivers and creeks."

He warned travellers to stay in regional towns such as Broome, Port Hedland, Derby and Fitzroy Crossing until the cyclone passes.

The weather bureau says gale force winds are likely along the coast between Bidyadanga and Wallal, and destructive winds will extend along the coast and inland.

Laurence, the first cyclone of the season off the WA coast, formed in the Timor Sea on December 13.

- AAP