**Tropical Cyclone Zelia Strikes Northwest Australia, Prompting Emergency Measures**

Meteorologists warn of heavy rainfall and extreme winds with potential flooding in vital economic regions.

Tropical Cyclone Zelia has hit the coast of northwestern Australia, landing on Friday afternoon and unleashing powerful winds and torrential rain on the region. The storm made landfall at 12:30 p.m. local time, about 34 miles northeast of Port Hedland, a crucial town within the Pilbara region, known for hosting some of the largest iron ore mines in the world.

Packing winds of 132 miles per hour—comparable to a Category 4 hurricane—the cyclone prompted authorities to advise all residents to stay indoors. A broad tropical cyclone warning was put in place from Wallal Downs to Roebourne, approximately 150 miles away from Port Hedland, with expectations of extreme rain and wind gusts reaching 100 m.p.h. Meteorologist Miriam Bradbury from Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology provided updates indicating the likelihood of even stronger winds nearing 180 m.p.h. as the storm approached its eye, capable of wreaking havoc on trees and buildings.

The local government has instructed citizens in Port Hedland and its neighboring areas to shelter in place, with urgent recommendations to stay clear of doors and windows. Furthermore, numerous schools and roads were shut down in anticipation of flooding. Fortunately, Port Hedland was reported to be on the fringe of the storm's most destructive core.

As the cyclone intensifies its approach, major ports in the Pilbara, responsible for nearly 40% of the world's iron ore supply, are on high alert. The Port Hedland facility had already closed operations on Wednesday, followed by the closure of Dampier Port and the Port of Varanus Island, which handles oil and fuel processing.

While Zelia is expected to weaken as it moves inland over the weekend, officials have warned that heavy rainfall will persist as it drifts southward, raising fears about potential flooding and damage in vital economic areas.