Tropical Cyclone Heidi is moving over the Pilbara region of Western Australia and is expected to hit the town of Port Hedland about now.

The Bureau of Meteorology in Australia is predicting destructive winds with gusts of up to 140 kilometres per hour, up to 250 millimetres of rain and dangerous storm tides.People in or near coastal and island communities between Pardoo and Whim Creek, including Port and South Hedland, are on a red alert and are in danger.

The Fire and Emergency Services Authority says those people should act immediately to take shelter in the strongest part of their house.They are being warned to keep an emergency kit by their sides and stay indoors until the all clear is given by authorities.

It is illegal to go outside during a red alert. A blue alert is in place for people between Whim Creek and Dampier and people in those communities need to prepare for dangerous weather.A flood alert has also been issued for surrounding areas of the Pilbara.

Adam Conroy from the Bureau of Meteorology says the cyclone is hitting about now and is  a catergory 2 cyclone.

About 45 people are taking refuge at a relocation centre in South Hedland.

Weatherzone