KEY POINTS:
PERTH - Gales are expected to lash Western Australia's Pilbara area this morning as another cyclone crosses the coast there about midday today.
Tropical Cyclone Jacob remains a category one storm, bringing heavy rain and gales gusting up to 100 km/h between Karratha and Port Hedland, the Bureau of Meteorology says.
The cyclone is expected to cross the coast between Whim Creek and Port Hedland about midday WST (4pm NZT), the bureau says.
Widespread accumulated totals of rain about 50mm are likely, with isolated heavier falls possible near the track of the cyclone. The rain should taper off inland.
Jacob comes just three days after Cyclone George, a category four storm, claimed three lives after crossing the Pilbara coast on Friday.
Pilbara residents have been scrambling to clear debris ahead of Jacob's arrival.
A 42-year-old man was fatally injured when the storm's destructive 275 km/h winds pounded the Pilbara region.
Police have launched a major investigation following the death of Queensland man Craig Allan Raabe from severe head injuries in Perth's Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital yesterday.
He was one of 28 injured people airlifted early on Friday from the Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) site south of Port Hedland, a day after the category four storm smashed Rail Camp 1, sending temporary accommodation buildings flying.
Prime Minister John Howard today offered WA Premier Alan Carpenter the army's help as some Pilbara communities set about recovering from George, the most violent storm to strike the region in 30 years.
Perth mother of two Debra Till, 47, died when the storm flattened the FMG construction camp, while at nearby Indee station, Sydney Desmond Baker, 74, died of a suspected heart attack.
- AAP
