CYCLONE ZELIA'S APPROACH: A FIRSTHAND ACCOUNT FROM BILL DZIOMBAK

CYCLONE ZELIA'S: A FIRSTHAND ACCOUNT FROM BILL DZIOMBAK

Cyclone Zelia, currently a category four, is drawing closer to the coast. Bill Dziombak, a local resident with over 30 years of experience in dealing with cyclones, shares his observations and preparations as the storm approaches.

The cyclone is still about 150 km away, but heavy rainfall has been a constant for the past two days.

The cyclone has been moving slowly, hovering off the coast. "I've never seen one just hover around like that before," Bill says, adding that it’s eerie to watch. With the storm expected to intensify to a category five, it’s set to hit Whim Creek tomorrow afternoon.

Bill, however, remains calm but cautious, acknowledging the dangers of a storm of this magnitude.

In his experience, category-five cyclones are rare but far from unheard of. "I’ve seen several, actually, Tangiora. Cyclone John in 1999 and Cyclone George in 2007 come to mind." Both storms had devastating impacts, particularly in the Port Hedland area.

Cyclone George, in particular, stands out as one of the worst Bill has witnessed, causing widespread damage, including the destruction of a local restaurant and the loss of wildlife at a mine.

Bill isn't overly concerned about his safety despite being on high alert." I live right next to the port mouth entrance, and the port evacuated all ships yesterday," he says. "It was a good call, given the severe rainfall."

The region is currently on a blue alert, but Bill thinks the call to prepare now should have been made earlier. With wind gusts picking up and rain continuing, he warns that it’s unsafe for anyone still preparing.

With the ground already saturated from rain, Bill expects that fallen trees could become a major hazard. "I’ve heard reports of a couple of trees already gone, and we haven’t even got the strong winds yet," he notes. This kind of situation is one of the less obvious dangers of cyclones, but it can cause just as much damage as the winds themselves.

As for his own preparations, Bill isn’t leaving his house. "I’ve got a very strong building. I won’t be going to an evacuation centre," he explains.

He’s taking the storm seriously. Having lived through several major cyclones, he knows that these storms can be unpredictable, and it’s best to be prepared.

One thing Bill always makes time for is documenting the storm. "That’s exactly what I’ll be doing if I dare go outside," he says, referring to his cameras.

Bill is passionate about capturing nature's power, and he uses his footage to raise public awareness about the real risks of cyclones. "I’ll share what I capture, just for awareness," he adds. Bill’s dedication to documenting cyclones is a reminder of the importance of staying informed and prepared.