Confirmed death in WA cyclone

An update to the quoted new story.

There has been a death confirmed in a railroad camp (not mining as previously stated). A woman has been killed becuase of her accomodation collapsing due to the high winds and rain from cyclone George.

 One feared dead in WA cyclone

Emergency services in Western Australia are investigating reports of multiple injuries and a possible death at a mine site south of Port Hedland that was hit by tropical cyclone George overnight.

A paramedic phoned through the report of injuries and a possible death to emergency services after the area in the state's north-west was hit with destructive winds in the early hours of this morning.

Authorities have yet to confirm the details but it is understood 30 buildings at the Wodgina mine site 100 kilometres south of Port Hedland have been damaged by winds of up to 270 kilometres an hour.

Emergency crews have been locked down since the category 4 cyclone crossed the coast late last night and have not been able to reach the mine site.

They will be sent to the site as soon as the red alert has been lifted.

The cyclone has battered the town of Port Hedland with strong winds and heavy rain, lifting rooves, uprooting trees and downing power poles.

At least one home has been lost, powerlines have been damaged and areas have been left without electricity and telephone connections.

But the town was spared from a storm surge, with the cyclone's eye passing just outside the town.

Residents have been sheltering indoors as the cyclone moves inland.

At last report, cyclone George was 75 kilometres south of Port Hedland, which was still being buffeted by destructive winds up to 150 kilometres per hour.