Tropical Cyclone Luana has crossed the Western Australia’s Kimberley coast and is now tracking towards Derby, where residents have been urged to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel.
Luana made landfall as a category two system on Saturday afternoon but has since been downgraded to a category one.
Tropical Cyclone Luana has weakened to a category one system. (Supplied: Bureau of Meteorology)
Flood warnings remain in place, with 150–200mm of rain expected across the West Kimberley over the next 24–48 hours. The Bureau of Meteorology has recorded wind gusts of 106km/h at Lombadina.
Extra resources sent to Derby
DFES Kimberley Superintendent Leon Gardiner said additional resources are on stand-by for when the cyclone impacts Derby. As of 6:30pm, no incidents had been reported and it appeared people had fared “pretty well.”
Leon Gardiner says a large contingent of emergency services is on stand-by for post-impact support. (ABC News: Mya Kordic)
Gardiner said his focus is maintaining awareness of the cyclone’s path and potential damage. He also noted the possibility of a storm surge, urging people to remain vigilant.
Staff from Derby State Emergency Service prepare for the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Luana. (ABC Kimberley: Dunja Karagic)
Non-stop rain at Ardyloon
Ardyaloon community CEO John Reudavey said preparing residents for the cyclone’s crossing was a “huge effort.” All elders, babies, children, and mothers were evacuated to Broome.
Trees have been feeling the full force of Tropical Cyclone Luana at Ardyloon community. (Supplied: John Reudavey)
Reudavey said it had been raining non-stop throughout the day, with 71mm recorded overnight up to 8:30 or 9:00 am. Around 50 residents and staff remain in the community, supported by DFES. The shop is fully stocked.
Trees feel force of Luana
Djarindjin community chief executive Nathan McIvor described conditions as the cyclone began to cross the coast, noting increasing winds and rain. He reported seeing branches and limbs falling from trees.
The Djarindjin community has already had a significant amount of rain as Tropical Cyclone Luana made landfall. (Supplied)
McIvor urged Kimberley residents to stay safe and heed all warnings.
Supermarket fully stocked as final preparations made
In Derby, Rusty’s IGA Manager Tameka Plummer said a steady stream of customers were securing last-minute supplies, including bread, eggs, and toilet paper. The supermarket is fully stocked after a delivery on Thursday.
Sandbags piled up in Derby as residents prepare for the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Luana. (ABC Kimberley: Dunja Karagic)
For updates, visit Emergency WA, call DFES on 133 337, download the Emergency WA app, or listen to ABC Kimberley.
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