10 January 2006 Cyclone heads for north-west Australia
Hundreds of residents have had to evacuate their homes as tropical cyclone Clare approaches the north-western coast of Australia.
Nearly 1,500 people from low-lying areas have been forced to leave due to the possibility of a flooding storm surge.
Coastal villages are expected to be amongst the worst hit areas as weather forecasters predict that they will be struck by "very destructive winds and severe thunderstorms".
Karratha airport, a number of shipping ports and some mining operations have been forced to close as residents prepare themselves for winds of up to 130mph.
"Obviously with these systems you have not only the strong winds but also a storm tide that could lead to flooding, which would be a problem inland for the mining industry," Neil Bennett, manager of public weather at the Bureau of Meterology, told the Age.
"And the strong winds and the height of waves would affect oil and gas operations. The cyclone may reach category four some time this evening," he added.
Emergency services are on red alert for a number of villages and towns, including the 11,000 population town of Karratha, which is said to possibly be in for a "very difficult time".
Archive Travel Insurance News Stories
Related Travel Insurance News
26 March 2008 Women 'confident' to travel alone
Women have become more confident to travel to traditional and emerging... [more]
26 March 2008 Paris and Bruges 'are emerging destinations for city breaks'
Paris and Bruges have been named as emerging destinations for city breaks in... [more]
26 March 2008 Princess takes birthday trip to traditional ski resort
Princess Eugenie, daughter of Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, and the Duke of... [more]
26 March 2008 Snow falls across Europe
Snow has been falling across Europe in the past week, leaving many traditional... [more]
Get a travel insurance quote today from Travel Insurance Web, comprehensive cover at an amazingly low price.
