WA: TC Laurence upgraded to category 5 as red alert issued

AAP General News (Australia)
12-16-2009
WA: TC Laurence upgraded to category 5 as red alert issued

The West Australian coastal community of Kuri Bay is on red alert after Tropical Cyclone
Laurence was upgraded to category five status.

Laurence .. the first cyclone of the season off the WA coast .. is small but intense
and wind gusts of up to 285km/hr have been recorded close to its centre.

The Bureau of Meteorology says Laurence is estimated to be 35 kilometres west northwest
of Kuri Bay .. about 370km north of Broome .. and is moving south-west at 9km/hr.

A yellow alert's in place for people in or near the communities of Mitchell Plateau
.. Koolan Island and Cockatoo Island.

Destructive winds are expected this afternoon and evening.

AAP RTV ah/crh

KEYWORD: LAURENCE (PERTH)

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