Biggest cyclone in decade hits Australia with record wind speeds: Top updates

A severe tropical cyclone hit the western parts of Australia with record-breaking wind speeds although officials said as per news agency Reuters that population centres may have avoided the impact of the storm. Tropical Cyclone Ilsa was upgraded to a category five storm which is the strongest on the scale. It crossed the coastline near Pardoo, about 19 hours' drive northeast of Perth after which its' status was updated.

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Here are top updates on Cyclone Ilsa in Australia:

1. Authorities said major population centres appeared to have “escaped the brunt of the cyclone”.
2. The cyclone has now weakened to a category three.
3. "We've received no calls for assistance. It appears the larger populated areas have escaped most of the damage," emergency services spokesman Peter Sutton said, adding, “We'll have a helicopter in the air as soon as it's safe.”
4. Australia's weather agency said that the cyclone had set a preliminary record for the strongest sustained wind speeds over a 10-minute period.
5. The wind speed averaged 218 kilometres (135 miles) per hour with gusts of 288 kilometres per hour.
6. The department of fire and emergency services issued a new series of "red alerts" ordering people to stay indoors.
7. Tropical Cyclone Ilsa also forced Port Hedland, one of the world's major iron ore-shipping hubs, to clear all vessels.