Blue alert issued

A cyclone blue alert has been issued to people living between Kuri Bay and Wallal Downs, including Broome and Port Hedland, as a tropical low moves southwest across the northwest Kimberley.

The cyclone watch advice was also extended to residents in the inland western Kimberley & east Pilbara to include Marble Bar.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has advised residents to get ready for dangerous weather and keep up to date with alerts.

As at 8:43am on Thursday, the Bureau of Meteorology said a tropical low was estimated to be 115 kilometres south-southwest of Kalumburu and 175 kilometres east of Kuri Bay, moving in a west-southwest direction at 19km/h.

The low is expected to move off the northwest Kimberley coast and may develop into a tropical cyclone during Friday.

The cyclone is expected to intensify further into a category two system before tracking towards the east Pilbara coast on Saturday, making landfall possibly as a severe category three cyclone during Sunday.

A flood watch has also been issued for the Kimberley district as heavy rainfall was likely over the northwest Kimberley on Thursday before extending to the west Kimberley on Friday and the east Pilbara on Saturday.

Gale winds up to 100km/h may develop in coastal parts between Kuri Bay and Bidyadanga, including Broome, during Friday afternoon and may extend further southwest to between Wallal Downs and Port Hedland late Friday or early Saturday.

Destructive gusts up to 150 km/h may develop along the coast between Broome and Pardoo Roadhouse during Saturday or early Sunday.

It is anticipated that the Great Northern Highway between Roebuck Roadhouse and Sandfire Roadhouse may be closed for an extended period on the weekend.

The Gibb River Road is also likely to be closed to all vehicles by the end of the week.