Yellow alert as cyclone Rusty approaches

Les Hayter from DFES in Karratha says that the region will go onto yellow alert by 8pm tonight.

mp3 of Radio interview

"The yellow alert is definitely going to happen, sooner rather than later," Mr Hayter told Barry Nichols on Monday afternoon.
"We don't generally like people to go to sleep not knowing the alert level so it will go on sometime tonight before 8pm."
There is a blue alert for communities between Broome and Mardie, including Port Hedland and Karratha.
Residents are being told to organise emergency kits including first aid kit, torch, portable radio, spare batteries, food and water.
Les Hayter says now is the time for people in the region to finalise their preparations.
"They can still move around but they are now looking at the fact that they might be moving to a red at some stage in the next 12-24 hours."
Mr Hayter says TC Rusty is intensifying and is unpredictable.
"We are looking at the potential for a very large system, category 4, crossing very slowly," he said.
"The real issue we have with this cyclone is that it is giving no indication of its travel. It appears to be heading in a south-easterly direction."
"It still possibly could swing a bit to the west which could cause problems in Port Hedland."
"Nobody is out of the woods at this stage. Anything between Mardie and Cape Levique is a possibility."
"People in low lying areas could be inundated by storm surges. These people should be looking at the possibility of evacuation and they should have an emergency kit ready."