Zelia

History

Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia developed in February 2025 from a tropical low that formed near the Kimberley region of Western Australia, within a monsoon trough. The system organised slowly as it tracked southwest before being named by the Bureau of Meteorology on 11 February. Zelia then underwent a period of extreme rapid intensification, climbing from a tropical cyclone to a Category 5 severe tropical cyclone by 13 February, reaching peak 10-minute sustained winds of 115 knots (215 km/h) and a minimum central pressure that placed it among the most intense cyclones to approach the Western Australian coast. It was the first Category 5 system of the 2024–25 Australian region season.

Turning southeast, Zelia weakened to Category 3 intensity before making landfall near the De Grey River, northeast of Port Hedland, on 14 February with 10-minute sustained winds of 95 knots and a central pressure of 935 hPa. The system rapidly deteriorated inland, eventually dissipating as a tropical low.

Impacts across the Pilbara and Kimberley regions were severe. Flooding was extensive, with some stations recording more than 500 mm of rainfall over three days. Port Hedland and surrounding communities suffered significant structural damage to houses and powerlines, while ports at Port Hedland, Cape Lambert, and Dampier were closed for three days, disrupting shipping and offshore energy operations. Dozens of residents were evacuated, including 63 people airlifted from Warralong. Total economic losses reached approximately US$733 million. No fatalities were recorded. The name Zelia was subsequently retired and replaced with Zhu.

Sources: Bureau of Meteorology report Wikipedia