‘Red alert’ issued to West Australian Pilbara town of Marble Bar as tropical cyclone Stan brings wild winds and heavy rains

Residents of the West Australian Pilbara town of Marble Bar have been warned to remain alert, with tropical cyclone Stan bearing down.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has issued a “red alert” for the area between Marble Bar and the Woodie Woodie Mine.

“There is a threat to lives and homes. You are in danger and need to act immediately,” the Department of Fire and Emergency Services reads.

Stan crossed the coast just east of Pardoo as a category two system early today after failing to meet some expectations it might strengthen to category three.

It then weakened to a category one and forecasters expect it to weak as it continues to move inland.

They have however urged residents in its path to be prepared.

A lesser yellow alert is in place for Nullagine and Telfer.

Winds of up to 150km/h and heavy rain was recorded after Stan made landfall and there is the possibility it could trigger flash flooding.

The town of Port Hedland has been given the all clear from BoM, indicating any immediate dangers posed by the storm have now passed.

Stan is the first cyclone of the Australian season, which begins officially on November 1 each year.