“In many places, especially around Port Headland, it is fortunate that the winds were not even stronger which certainly could have been the case if the tropical cyclone had taken a different path,” he said.

‘Exceptionally rare’ rainfall

“But it looks like the cyclone’s eye is well inland now and the roof is still on the house, and that’s a good thing.”

Residents in Port Hedland have been battered by ex-tropical cyclone Zelia but spared the worst of its fury. Source: Supplied / Tracey Heimberger

Port Hedland is one of the world’s largest iron ore export points, with any lengthy cyclone-enforced port closure potentially disrupting global supply.

“We may still see river rises in the coming 24 hours.”

Zelia is forecast to move south further into the Pilbara and parts of the Gascoyne on Saturday as it loses intensity but is still expected to bring heavy rainfall.