Cyclone heads for Australian mining town

2013-02-27 09:01

A Nasa satellite captured image of Cyclone Rusty closing in on the northwestern coast of Western Australia. (Nasa/ AFP)

Perth — Australia's major iron ore port is closed and residents on a remote stretch of the country's west coast are taking shelter from a powerful cyclone.

The storm with winds gusting to 230km/h at its centre is expected to hit the Western Australia mining town of Port Hedland on Wednesday evening. The outer edge of the storm has already brought wind gusts of 120km/h to the port.

Up to 400mm of rain is forecast within 24 hours.

The port used by the nation's mining giants to export iron ore was closed on Tuesday. Officials aren't sure when shipments can resume.

- AP