Tropical cyclone Seroja rips across one thousand kilometers stretch of Western Australia

Tropical cyclone Seroja has ripped across a one thousand kilometers stretch of Western Australia, leaving a trail of damage. The category three storm made landfall near the town of Kalbarri yesterday with gusts of up to 170 kilometers per hour. The storm was later downgraded to a tropical low, though strong winds continue to move south-east. Residents reported smashed houses, fallen trees and downed power lines. 

Weather authorities said Cyclone Seroja had sustained "uncommon" pace and strength



overnight, as it moved from Kalbarri and Geraldton on the coast, and inland across the state's Wheat Belt.

 

The Bureau of Meteorology said while the storm had weakened, damaging gusts were still expected on Monday, with peak winds of 110 kilometer per hour.  Several towns in the state's south-east remain under "red ," meaning authorities advise residents to take shelter. This morning, emergency services agencies said it remained too early to assess the extent of the damage.