Australia Weather News

Residents are waking up to assess the damage from Tropical Cyclone Luana in Western Australia's Kimberley region. 

Luana originally hit the Dampier Peninsular, more than 2,000km north of Perth, about 2pm yesterday as a category two.

The cyclone is tracking at category one intensity as it continues to move south-east.

Downpour continues

Luana is expected to weaken below tropical cyclone strength this morning.

Emergency services are advising residents to avoid unnecessary travel, with heavy rainfall and strong winds expected to continue for Derby and southern parts of the Dampier Peninsula.

Luana has already produced more than 200 millilitres of rain across the region.

The system is forecast to weaken as it tracks through the state's interior, and heavy rainfall may persist with it until Tuesday.

Severe weather warnings are in place for people in parts of the Kimberley, North Interior and Pilbara.

In Derby, more than 70 Horizon Power customers are experiencing power outages.

'Bit of an anticlimax'

Beagle Bay CEO, Henry Augustine said Luana did not have nearly as much impact as ex-Tropical Cyclone Hayley, which crossed over the new year period.

"People were much more worried the second time round but it was a lot less stronger than Hayley," Mr Augustine said.

"I was expecting something like Hayley but it was a bit quieter, there was a bit of breeze and lots of rain.

"I was sort of panicking but it was a bit of an anticlimax, I suppose."

The two cyclones in a row had been a big "wake-up call" for the community, according to Mr Augustine.

He said a lot more people evacuated this time around, choosing to seek shelter elsewhere.

"After going through a bit of a scare like that, you've got to be wary. You don't know what's happening. It's unpredictable."

Howling winds

On the western side of the Dampier Peninsula, residents reported wild weather with "howling winds".

Roma Peurtollano, a resident of the remote community of Chile Creek, sheltered at home with her dog, who was also frightened.

"It was quite scary going through it all," she said.

"It was howling, the force of the wind was just crazy."

Ms Peurtollano said she had not gone outside yet to see what kind of damage there was.

She said Tropical Cyclone Luana felt stronger than Cyclone Hayley, which passed through in December.

Roads closed

Cape Leveque Road, the main road up the peninsula from Broome, remains closed from McGuigan Road.

The Gibb River Road between Kimbolton Road and Pentecost River is also closed.

Visit Emergency WA, call DFES on 133 337, download the Emergency WA app, or listen to ABC Kimberley to stay up to date.