A category two tropical cyclone off Western Australia's Kimberley coast is expected to bring destructive winds of more than 165km/h when it hits the Pilbara region.
Tropical Cyclone Christine was off Broome and was forecast to bring heavy rain and gales of up to100km/h south of Cape Leveque. It is expected to intensify further as it moves towards the Pilbara coast.
Today, the cyclone is forecast to peak as a category three, bringing gales and heavy rain to Karratha and possibly as far west as Exmouth.
Coastal communities between De Grey and Mardie, including Port Hedland and Karratha, have been warned of the potential for a dangerous storm tide late today or early tomorrow. The Port Hedland Port Authority has evacuated ships from the inner and outer harbours.
Yesterday, a severe weather warning was issued as gusts reaching 91km/h buffeted Sydney.
