Hurricane “Ilsa” in Australia: Fresh wind record measured

An anxiously awaited Cyclone Ilsa has made landfall in Western Australia as a Category 5 peak. Initial reports suggest that the damage was limited due to precautionary measures taken over several days. According to officials, no casualties or injuries were reported.

The Australian Guardian reported today that the cyclone hit the shore at midnight (local time) in an uninhabited area about 140 kilometers from the port city of Port Hedland, famous for its iron ore trade. “Ilsa” sets new record in Australia

Wind speed is 218 kmph

According to the National Meteorological Service (BOM), the storm’s wind speed was 218 kilometers per hour at Bedout Island for ten minutes. “This has never happened before on the fifth continent,” BOM tweeted. Wind gusts reached 288 km/h.

The storm is later downgraded to a Category 3 and moving inland. However, winds of 165 kilometers per hour are still being measured, the BOM said. The center of the cyclone was further classified as “extremely destructive”.

Australia last experienced a 5-magnitude cyclone in 2015 when Cyclone Marcia caused extensive damage in Queensland on the east coast. The last time a cyclone was this strong was in Western Australia in 2009. In 2007, near Port Hedland, the category five Cyclone George hit the area. At that time, three people died and 20 people were injured.