Tropical Cyclone Luana brought wind and rain to Western Australia on Saturday. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Luana was located at latitude 17.5°S and longitude 123.1°E which put the center about 35 miles (55 km) west of Derby, Australia. Luana was moving toward the southeast at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 987 mb.
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Warning that was in effect for the portion of the coast from Broome to Cockatoo Island. The Warning included Derby.
The center of Tropical Cyclone Luana made landfall on the Dampier Peninsula between Beagle Bay and Cape Leveque early on Saturday. Luana intensified prior to making landfall. Tropical Cyclone Luana was the equivalent of a strong tropical storm at the time of landfall.
The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Cyclone Luana became more symmetrical before it made landfall. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Luana’s circulation.
A weather station in Derby in Western Australia reported a sustained wind speed of 43 m.p.h. (69 km/h) and a wind gust of 60 m.p.h. (96 km/h). That weather station reported 7.43 inches (188.8 mm) of rain so far.
A weather station in Broome reported a sustained wind speed of 25 m.p.h. (41 km/h) and a wind gust of 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h). The weather station in Broome reported 1.87 inches (47.4 mm) of rain.
Tropical Cyclone Luana Will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over Australia. The high pressure system will steer Luana toward the south-southeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Luana will move inland over Western Australia south of Derby during the next 24 hours.
Tropical Cyclone Luana will bring strong winds and heavy rain to parts of Western Australia. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.
Flood Warnings are in effect for the West Kimberley District and the North Kimberley District.
A Flood Watch is in effect for the Western Sandy Desert.
Tropical Cyclone Luana could also cause a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along the coast of King Sound.
Tropical Cyclone Luana will weaken gradually as it moves farther inland over Western Australia.