Roofs have been damaged, trees have fallen and many residents remain without power as Tropical Cyclone Christine tears through Western Australia's Pilbara region. Christine crossed the coast between Whim Creek and Roebourne about midnight (WST) as a category three cyclone, but has now been downgraded to a category two. The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) estimated at 8am (WST) that the cyclone was 155km south of Karratha and 135km northwest of Paraburdoo, and moving south at 19km/h. The system is slowly weakening as it moves over land and is expected to travel in a southeasterly direction through Tuesday, BoM said. A red alert remains in place for people in or near the coastal areas between De Grey and Mardie, and extending inland to Tom Price and Paraburdoo. This includes Port Hedland, South Hedland, Whim Creek, Roebourne, Point Samson, Wickham, Karratha and Dampier. "There is a threat to lives and homes. You are in danger and need to act immediately," the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) warned. The Department for Child Protection and Family Support has set up several relocation points including the JD Hardie Centre in South Hedland, Karratha Leisureplex, the Marble Bar civic centre, Tom Price High School gym and Ashburton Hall in Paraburdoo. People between Mardie and Onslow are advised that the threat of strong winds is no longer expected. A yellow alert is current for people in or near the inland communities of Marble Bar and Pannawonica. Residents have been warned to get ready to take shelter as the cyclone approaches. Red alerts posted Cyclone Christine tracks toward Western Australia Strengthening cyclone set to hit ore mines West Australia Red Alert as 200km/h Tropical Cyclone Christine Nears Coast Strengthened cyclone forces Australia to halt iron ore exports Cyclone bears down on Aussie west coast Western Australia Prepares For Cyclone Overnight Christine puts Pilbara towns on RED ALERT Port Hedland resident faces down Severe Tropical Cyclone Christine with ... Powerful cyclone bears down on western Australia Miners batten down as cyclone Christine approaches Pilbara and Kimberley Cyclone Christine: WA Pilbara residents in bunkers as destructive cyclone hits Cyclone Christine lashes Pilbara coast with 170km/h gales, 130mm of rain Cyclone Christine batters WA's Pilbara coast Cyclone Christine: Ol resident bilong Pilbara WA igo hait long cyclone Cyclone smashes WA's Pilbara coast Tropical Cyclone Christine Track, Maps: Red Alert Issued As Storm Slams Into ... Red alerts posted Cyclone Christine tracks toward Western Australia Strengthening cyclone set to hit ore mines West Australia Red Alert as 200km/h Tropical Cyclone Christine Nears Coast Powerful cyclone bears down on western Australia Natural Disasters, Extreme Weather, Natural Disasters, Cyclone Christine, Cyclone Christine Australia, Cyclone Australia,Australia Cyclone, Christine, World News Cyclone Christine,Cyclone Christine live,Cyclone Christine aftermath,Cyclone Christine live video,Cyclone Christine today,Cyclone Christine Australia,Tropical Cyclone,cyclone hits Pilbara,Cyclone Christine Kimberley,cyclone forces Australia,Powerful cyclone,breaking news,live,flooding,Hurricane,Cyclone,Typhoon Typhoons, Typhoon, Australia Typhoon, Australia, Australia Typhoon, Typhoon Chirstine, Typhoon Chirstine Death Toll, World News Typhoons, Hurricanes, Climate Change, The Australia, Storms, Disasters, Chirstine, Hurricane Sandy, Oceans, Supertyphoon Chirstine, Japan, Global Warming, Haiti, Tropical Cyclones, Green News Typhoons, Natural Disasters, Australia Typhoon 2013, Australia Typhoon Preparation, Reuters, Typhoon, Typhoon Yolanda, Australia Typhoon, Typhoon Australia, Typhoon Chirstine, Tacloban, World News

• published: 31 Dec 2013
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