Tropical Cyclone Luana has struck the Western Australian coastline, unleashing destructive weather conditions across the Kimberley region. The Category 2 system made landfall north of Broome approximately 2,000 kilometers north of Perth on Saturday afternoon, bringing with it sustained winds of 95 km/h and powerful gusts reaching 130 km/h.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), the cyclone is tracking east-southeast at 12 km/h, posing significant threats to communities throughout northern Australia. Meteorologist Jonathan How warned that Luana would continue generating dangerous weather patterns throughout the long weekend, including damaging winds up to 120 km/h and heavy rainfall likely to cause flash flooding.
Emergency services have issued a Cyclone Emergency Warning for areas between Coulomb Point and Cape Leveque, emphasizing the immediate threat to lives and property. Evacuation centers have been activated at Broome Recreation and Aquatic Centre and Derby Civic Centre to accommodate residents fleeing the dangerous conditions.
The weather system is expected to move southward, bringing substantial rainfall to Western Australia’s interior early next week. Current forecasts predict 150-200mm of precipitation for the West Kimberley region over the next 48 hours, with a flood watch remaining in effect across broad sections of the state. The cyclone is projected to weaken below tropical cyclone strength by Sunday morning as it moves further inland.