‘Top of the scale’ winds strong enough to take out complete houses, destroy power lines and cause widespread damage and disruption

Schools, ports and roads have been closed as northern Australia braces for a tropical cyclone that has developed into a destructive category five system bringing ferocious wind gusts up to 320km/h. .

Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia has rapidly intensified since developing off the Western Australian coast and is set to hit land at its most powerful and dangerous.

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