WA: 30 houses damaged in cyclone

AAP General News (Australia)
12-15-1999
WA: 30 houses damaged in cyclone

By Andrea Mayes

PERTH, Dec 15 AAP - At least 30 houses were damaged as cyclone John smashed into Western
Australia's north-west coast today, the State Emergency Service (SES) reported this afternoon.

No injuries were reported.

An SES spokeswoman said about 30 homes in Port Hedland, Roebourne and Wickham had lost
all or part of their roofs or suffered other structural damage.

"In some cases whole sections have been blown away," she said.

She said two pastoral stations had also reported damage, including Munda station, between
Whim Creek and Port Hedland, where the old homestead was believed to have been largely
destroyed.

The family was sheltering in the hallway of the new homestead.

Warumbi station, south-east of Roebourne, had reported roof damage.

The spokeswoman said there had been no reports so far from Whim Creek or Port Samson.

"The last contact we had from Whim Creek was at about 11 o'clock this morning when
they advised us that they would be moving into their storm shelter," she said.

She said seven people had taken shelter in a large shipping container and had promised
to contact the SES when it was safe to emerge.

SES crews were still assessing the damage in Karratha and Dampier, where residents
were allowed to leave their houses at 1pm, when the red alert was lifted.

A Western Power spokesman said power supplies were being restored in Karratha, but
warned that it could be some time before all lines were operating again.

He said about 20 per cent of Port Hedland was without power and line crews there could
not start repairs until they were allowed outside.

Communities from Port Hedland to Mardie remained on red alert this afternoon.

Cyclone John is the strongest cyclone ever to hit Australia, with winds of up to 290kph
recorded earlier today.

At 1pm (WST) it was located about 135km southwest of Port Hedland and 120km east south-east
of Karratha, and moving south south-east at 15km per hour.

Maximum wind gusts at the centre of the cyclone had dropped to 230kph and were expected
to moderate further.

AAP alm/hu

KEYWORD: JOHN DAMAGE LEAD

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