Australian Region Infrared Satellite Image
Source: Image from Japan Meteorological Agency satellite MTSAT-1R via Bureau of Meteorology.
Captured: Wednesday 29 March 2006 09:30 UTC
The forecast path shown above is the Australian Bureau of Meteorology's best estimate of the cyclone's future movement and intensity. There is always some uncertainty associated with tropical cyclone forecasting and the grey zone indicates the range of likely tracks.
Due to the uncertainty in the future movement, the indicated winds will almost certainly extend to regions outside the rings on this map. The extent of the warning zone reflects this.
Communities along the Pilbara coast should be aware that SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE GLENDA is expected to approach the coast later this afternoon and Thursday. Gales with gusts to 100 kilometres per hour are expected to develop on the Pilbara coast this evening with gusts increasing to 125 kilometres per hour overnight.
Residents of the central and west Pilbara coast are warned of the risk of very destructive winds with gusts exceeding 250 kilometres per hour during Thursday close to the centre as this very dangerous cyclone nears the coast.
Source: Image from Japan Meteorological Agency satellite MTSAT-1R via Bureau of Meteorology.
Captured: Thursday 30 March 2006 10:30 UTC
Cyclone Glenda lashes Australia
Glenda could be as destructive as Larry, which hit two weeks ago
A major cyclone has begun crossing Australia's north-west coast as thousands of residents ride it out.
The shore was being lashed by 130 km/h (80 mph) winds, the government weather authorities said, according to AP.
Onslow, a fishing town of more than 800 people in the remote Pilbara region, was expected to feel the worst of Cyclone Glenda, meteorologists said.
The storm first hit land at about 1600 local time (0800 GMT), Bureau of Meteorology manager Grahame Reader told AP.
Emergency workers feared Cyclone Glenda could be as dangerous as Larry, or Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the US city of New Orleans in August.
"This does have the potential to do what happened in the eastern states and what happened in America," State Emergency Services official Steve Cable told Australian television.
Australia set for Cyclone Glenda
Towns along the west Australian coast are bracing for the arrival of Cyclone Glenda, a category four storm expected to bring winds of 250 km/h (155 mph).
Heavy rain has already hit the remote Pilbara region, but worse is expected later on Thursday.
Pilbara's 10,000 residents have been advised to seek shelter. Hundreds have decided to leave the area.
Australia's north-east is still recovering from Cyclone Larry, which hit the area two weeks ago.
That storm, which made landfall in the state of Queensland, caused no fatalities but left a damage bill which is expected to top AUS$1bn (US$707m).
A weather forecaster told ABC radio on Wednesday that Cyclone Glenda's current wind speeds were similar to that of Larry's prior to it hitting the coast.
"It is a very large system, one of the strongest cyclones we have seen off our Australian coastline," Gavin Edmonds said.
Getting ready
This latest cyclone is forecast to hit land near the towns of Karratha and Dampier.
"We are asking people to stay indoors and to seek shelter," Jim Cahill, an operations manager with the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia, said on Thursday.
"The cyclone is basically very close and there are extreme winds and a lot of danger."
Global mining giant Rio Tinto has halted its huge iron ore shipping operation in the region ahead of Glenda's arrival.
Oil firms have also moved their floating rigs out of the path of the cyclone.
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