<p>A powerful tropical cyclone hurtled towards Western Australia on Thursday, triggering a "red alert" emergency and evacuation orders as authorities warned violent winds could toss caravans, tear down trees and turn debris into "missiles".</p>.<p>Tropical Cyclone Ilsa gathered strength over the Indian Ocean and Port Hedland, one of the world's major iron ore-shipping hubs, was cleared of vessels in preparation.</p>.<p>The Bureau of Meteorology predicted the category five storm would bring a "severe impact" with gusts of up to 315 kilometres (200 miles) per hour, making it one of the most powerful cyclones to hit the state in a decade.</p>.<p>The storm was expected to make landfall on Thursday evening or Friday morning, landing somewhere between the coastal towns of Broome and Port Hedland -- about 17 hours' drive north of the state capital, Perth.</p>.<p>It is forecast to then move inland, with weather warnings in place for a vast but sparsely populated expanse stretching some 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) from the coast into the desert Outback.</p>.<p>The region is home to iron ore and gold mines, sprawling cattle ranches and Aboriginal communities.</p>.<p>The Bureau of Meteorology said the winds would be strong enough to tear down trees and powerlines, and could launch caravans and even trampolines.</p>.<p>Flash flooding was also a risk, the weather bureau said.</p>.<p>The state's Department of Fire and Emergency Services said it "cannot stress enough how extreme these conditions will be for those in the area".</p>.<p>Peter Carter, the mayor of Port Hedland, said the destructive winds could turn flying debris into "missiles in the air".</p>.<p>"That's what causes all the damage, that is what injures people," he told national broadcaster ABC. "Everyone is on edge."</p>.<p>Australian researchers have repeatedly warned that climate change amplifies the risk of natural disasters such as bushfires, floods and cyclones.</p>
<p>A powerful tropical cyclone hurtled towards Western Australia on Thursday, triggering a "red alert" emergency and evacuation orders as authorities warned violent winds could toss caravans, tear down trees and turn debris into "missiles".</p>.<p>Tropical Cyclone Ilsa gathered strength over the Indian Ocean and Port Hedland, one of the world's major iron ore-shipping hubs, was cleared of vessels in preparation.</p>.<p>The Bureau of Meteorology predicted the category five storm would bring a "severe impact" with gusts of up to 315 kilometres (200 miles) per hour, making it one of the most powerful cyclones to hit the state in a decade.</p>.<p>The storm was expected to make landfall on Thursday evening or Friday morning, landing somewhere between the coastal towns of Broome and Port Hedland -- about 17 hours' drive north of the state capital, Perth.</p>.<p>It is forecast to then move inland, with weather warnings in place for a vast but sparsely populated expanse stretching some 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) from the coast into the desert Outback.</p>.<p>The region is home to iron ore and gold mines, sprawling cattle ranches and Aboriginal communities.</p>.<p>The Bureau of Meteorology said the winds would be strong enough to tear down trees and powerlines, and could launch caravans and even trampolines.</p>.<p>Flash flooding was also a risk, the weather bureau said.</p>.<p>The state's Department of Fire and Emergency Services said it "cannot stress enough how extreme these conditions will be for those in the area".</p>.<p>Peter Carter, the mayor of Port Hedland, said the destructive winds could turn flying debris into "missiles in the air".</p>.<p>"That's what causes all the damage, that is what injures people," he told national broadcaster ABC. "Everyone is on edge."</p>.<p>Australian researchers have repeatedly warned that climate change amplifies the risk of natural disasters such as bushfires, floods and cyclones.</p>