Cyclone Olwyn's 200km/h winds hit west coast of Australia
Xinhua, March 13, 2015 Adjust font size:
The west coast of Australia was hit with 200km/h winds on Friday morning as Tropical Cyclone Olwyn smashed into the town of Exmouth.
More than 1,400 local residents were without power and the heavy winds had ripped down fences, and uprooted trees.
Police said there were no reports of injuries as residents stayed indoors and weathered the cyclone.
The Bureau of Meteorology said the cyclone, which has remained as a powerful Category Three storm, would continue down the west coast.
"The center of Severe Tropical Cyclone Olwyn is tracking very close to the coast as it moves southwards across the Coral Bay area. The system is expected to remain a severe tropical cyclone until later this morning before slowly weakening," the BoM said in a statement.
"As it moves southwards it is expected to take heavy rain and squally winds into southern parts of Western Australia.
"Very destructive winds with gusts over 200km/h are likely near Exmouth, Coral Bay and surrounding areas on Friday morning." Endi