The Pilbara Ports Authority has ordered for the clearing of all large vessels at the port and anchorages of Dampier and Ashburton in preparation for a possible onslaught from tropical cyclone Nathan. The Category 1 storm was expected to cross the coast overnight.

Port Dampier is a major iron ore export site for mining giant Rio Tinto. Chevron uses Port Ashburton for its liquefied natural exports. Pilbara Ports Authority said over 140 million tonnes of iron ore was shipped out from Port of Dampier during the 2013/14 financial year.

Vessel masters have been instructed to sail out their vessels as far as possible from the two ports, even on short notice. Anchorages, meantime, were closed to new arrivals.

Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology said Nathan is expected to slowly intensify to Category 3 strength by Thursday. It could bring gale force winds to the north Queensland area stretching from Coen to Cape Tribulation.

The bureau expects the approaching weather disturbance will not affect Port Hedland, Australia's largest iron ore export terminal. Nathan is expected to bring winds of 100 kilometres an hour and heavy rains. Although it is forecast to strike the coast just to the west of Port Hedland on Thursday, its trajectory may still change. "At this stage there has been no impact on perorations at the Port Hedland," IHS Maritime quoted an unidentified spokesperson from Pilbara Ports Authority.

Once it makes landfall, Nathan becomes the second superstorm to hit in recent weeks Western Australia after the February onslaught of Cyclone Marcia. The Australian weather bureau said heavy rain could develop over the western Pilbara and northern Gascoyne on Friday and Saturday. Floods could result.

A report by Perth Now said the region’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services has urged residents to prepare their homes and family members for a possible cyclone. It advised preparing an emergency kit with a portable battery-operated radio, torch, spare batteries and first-aid kit.

To report problems or to leave feedback about this article, e-mail: e.misa@ibtimes.com.au.

RELATED STORIES