Cyclone mop-up in the final stages
With Pilbara residents mopping up after cyclone Christine, the Weather Bureau is predicting a chance of more severe weather this summer.
The cyclone caused catastrophic fire conditions in central and southern parts of WA yesterday with strong winds east of the storm.
Roebourne and Wickham bore the brunt of the cyclone, when winds of about 150km/h ripped roofs off houses and uprooted trees.
Locals cooled off in Roebourne's Harding River after the torrential rain produced rapids.
Department of Fire and Emergency Services public information officer Les Hayter said crews were in the final stages of cleaning up yesterday afternoon.
The work began on Tuesday after the all-clear in Port Hedland at 9am and Karratha at midday.
"On Wednesday we had five crews at Roebourne, Wickham and Point Samson and they got to the end of jobs by 5pm," Mr Hayter said.
More than 60 emergency service volunteers and Perth Suburban Search and Rescue responded to at least 70 calls for help in affected areas. About 2000 homes and businesses were without electricity but it is expected to be restored by today.
Road closures are still in place for light vehicles for parts of North West Coastal Highway between Roebourne and Port Hedland.
Weather Bureau duty forecaster Luke Huntington said though below-average temperatures were expected over summer, WA could expect more cyclones and high fire danger.
"It is likely we will get more cyclones because we usually get about five in a season and have only had three so far," he said.
"It is quite possible we will get another severe cyclone."
He said troughs frequently developed off the west coast in summer, which led to strong and gusty winds in inland districts.
"This leads to catastrophic fire conditions," he said.
"Perth itself rarely gets catastrophic fire warnings because the troughs move inland."
Cyclone Christine brought rain to WA's southern interior, where up to 30mm fell in 24 hours between Monday and Tuesday.
