Cyclone Luana: Tropical Cyclone makes landfall in the Kimberley, with damaging winds and flood risk remaining

Tropical Cyclone Luana has hit the Kimberley coast but caused no devastation so far, emergency services said, however widespread flooding and hazardous road conditions have forced major closures across the region.

The system weakened to a Category 1 storm on Saturday night, with flood warnings still in place and heavy rainfall predicted over the next 48 hours.

Authorities have urged residents and travellers to reconsider travel plans, with several key roads closed or only open with caution.

Emergency WA said on Sunday morning that Tropical Cyclone Luana had weakened further as it moved inland through the western Kimberley and was likely to be downgraded to a tropical low later today.

Flood Advice remains in place for the Fitzroy River, Sandy Desert and North Kimberley Rivers catchments, with communities warned they could become isolated

While damaging winds were easing, heavy rainfall was expected to extend further south into inland parts of WA through Sunday afternoon and Monday, raising the risk of flash flooding.

The Gibb River Road between Kimbolton Road and the Pentecost River is closed, while sections of the Broome Highway, Great Northern Highway and Broome-Cape Leveque Road remain open with caution.

Several major roads across the Kimberley remained closed due to flooding and unsafe conditions, with authorities urging motorists to avoid the region and exercise extreme caution.

Residents were urged to shelter indoors on Saturday after the cyclone made landfall as a Category 2 system.

A police officer in Derby said it was “pretty windy up but nothing too crazy.” Officers remained on alert, but “weren’t overly concerned at this stage”.

Photos showed winds bending trees and heavy rainfall soaking Broome as the system made landfall between Beagle Bay and Cape Leveque about 2pm on Saturday.

Businesses in Derby were closed throughout the day on Saturday as residents waited out the storm.

Luka Kraljevick, general manager at his family run pizza restaurant, Jila Gallery Café said staff had packed up their outdoor display area and locked the chairs inside.

Mr Kraljevick said the town had endured “many windstorms lately” with the worst part being the cleanup.

“Normally this weather goes around us in Derby or drops off into the ocean,” he said.

“People around town say roofs will be blown off tonight. I’m not sure how it will go.”

A Storm Surge Watch and Act was in place for Derby.

“Tropical Cyclone Luana is expected to result in significant storm surge,” a DFES alert said. “There is a risk that properties in Derby townsite could become inundated.”

The Bureau of Meteorology said stronger winds and rainfall would mostly occur north of Broome through to Kuri Bay before extending south this morning.

Wind gusts near the centre of the cyclone were projected to reach 130km/h.

The Department of Emergency Services said no calls for State Emergency Services assistance had been made.

An emergency cyclone warning had been in place for Coulomb Point nature reserve through to Cape Leveque as the system moved east south east at 12km/h.

“There is a threat to lives and homes,” the warning said. “You are in danger and need to act immediately.”

Flood warnings were spread across the Kimberley with daily rainfall totals of 220mm possible, bringing a risk of flash flooding and roads being closed without warning.

Authorities opened evacuation centres at Derby Civic Centre and at Broome Recreation and Aquatic Centre.

Emergency services continue to monitor the system, with DFES conducting assessments to identify any emerging hazards as conditions evolve.