Cyclone hits western coast

Tropical Cyclone Dominic bore down on the western Australian coast on 27 January 2009. The storm hit with wind speeds of 58 mph/50 kt, but has weakened since moving inland. As of 0300 UTC on 27 January, the storm was located approximately 83 mi/133 km east-northeast of Learmonth; meteorological officials have since stopped tracking the storm. Many ports along the coast shut down, and dangerous tides were reported between Exmouth and Whim Creek. Approximately 50 percent of Australia’s oil output was cut off by the storm prior to it making landfall, but production is expected to return to normal by 28 January.