North West braces for Iggy

Pilbara and Midwest Gascoyne residents are bracing for Tropical Cyclone Iggy with gale force winds expected tonight and tomorrow.

At 12pm the Bureau of Meteorology estimated the category two cyclone was 400km west-north-west of Exmouth and 640km west of Karratha and moving south at 8km/h.

Iggy is expected to intensify as it moves towards North West Cape.

A blue alert cyclone warning is current for people between Mardie and Coral Bay, including Onslow and Exmouth, and a cyclone watch is current for people from Whim Creek to Mardie and Coral Bay to Cape Cuvier.

The Fire and Emergency Services Authority has warned gales may develop tonight between Ningaloo and Mardie, including Exmouth and Onslow, and extend south to Coral Bay on Sunday morning.

There is the risk of destructive winds over 125km/h between Onslow and Ningaloo on Sunday.

Gales could extend Whim Creek and the Karratha region on Sunday if Iggy takes a more easterly track.

Heavy rainfall is likely in coastal parts of the Pilbara over the weekend and there will continue to be large swells along the Pilbara and Kimberley coasts.