I'm praying that these people are spared.... are any of our forum friends in this area ??



Last Updated: Monday, 9 January 2006, 09:28 GMT

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Cyclone heads for NW Australia
By Phil Mercer
BBC News, Sydney



Hundreds of residents in north-western Australia have abandoned their homes as tropical cyclone Clare approaches land.

Weather forecasters are warning that some coastal communities could be battered by "very destructive winds and severe thunderstorms".

Some oil rigs have also been shut down as a precaution.

Cyclone Clare is currently in the Indian Ocean, but forecasters have said that this powerful tropical storm could hit the coast within hours.

There is a warning that it could well intensify as it approaches the mainland with winds up to 220km (137 miles) per hour.

The emergency services have issued a red alert for a number of communities in this sparsely populated region north of Perth. The towns of Karratha and Dampier could be in for a very difficult time.

Residents have been told to expect dangerously high waves and flooding if the cyclone crosses the coast.

Many people have been moved from low-lying areas to special shelters.

The production of oil and gas on rigs off the Western Australian coast has been suspended. Ports have also been closed as a precaution.
This isolated region experiences around half-a-dozen cyclones every year between November and April.