WA: Gale force winds expected with cyclone Billy

AAP General News (Australia)
12-23-2008
WA: Gale force winds expected with cyclone Billy

PERTH, Dec 22 AAP - Communities on the north-west Kimberley coast of Western Australia
are urged to brace for gale force winds as tropical cyclone Billy moves west.

The category-one cyclone was 130km south-west of Kuri Bay and 250km north-east of Broome
at 9.50pm (WDT) on Monday and moving at 11km/h.

Cyclone Billy reformed on Monday morning after fading from a category two cyclone over
the weekend.

There is now a warning in place for coastal communities from Kuri Bay to Wallal and
a cyclone watch from Wallal to Roebourne.

Winds up to 100km/h are expected overnight between Kuri Bay and Beagle Bay and may
extend to Broome and Wallal later on Tuesday.

The northern part of the Dampier Peninsula, near Cape Leveque, is expected to be hit
with gales of up to 150km/h, and widespread heavy rainfall is predicted.

The Aboriginal communities of Oombulgurri and Kulumburu have been cut off by flooding
for several days.

A yellow alert is in place for communities between Cockatoo Island and Beagle Bay and
a blue alert is in place for communities between Broom and Wallal. The community of Derby
is not included.

AAP vpm/apm

KEYWORD: BILLY 2ND UPDATE

2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.