The category two system is moving through the Pilbara coast and the Bureau of Meteorology is predicting destructive winds, up to 200 millimetres of rain, and dangerous storm tides.
For the latest cyclone warnings and essential information visit ABC North West WA.
Residents including Tom, who lives near Port Hedland, say the winds are fierce and his house is flooding.
"We are getting smashed now, mate," he siad this morning.
"We are getting smashed now. There is full horizontal rain and very high winds."
Port Hedland Mayor Kelly Howlett says 2,000 homes are without power.
"A lot of people are reporting flooding coming through their lighting systems for instance, and the wind gusts have certainly helped to tip over a number of trees as well."
Weather bureau spokesman Noel Pusey says rainfall could peak at 200 millimetres, which, combined with freak tides, could cause flooding.
A red alert remains in place between Pardoo and Whim Creek, where people are being warned to keep away from windows and to stay in the strongest part of their house.
It is illegal to go outside during a red alert.
A blue alert is in place for the communities of Roebourne, Point Samson, Karratha, and Dampier.
The heaviest rainfall is expected to the east and south of the system, and a flood alert has been issued for surrounding areas of the Pilbara.
About 45 people are taking refuge at a relocation centre in South Hedland.
PORT SHUT
Australia's largest bulk export port at Port Hedland has been shut down as the cyclone nears.
The port's Steve Farrell says bulk ore carriers and other ships have been sent to safer waters.
"The last thing we want is for those vessels to break their mooring and run aground or cause damage, so it's always much safer for vessels and port to clear the vessels to safer water outside the cyclone area," he said.
Dampier Port has sent the big ships out to safer waters.
Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals have stopped loading ships.
Oil and gas producers Woodside Petroleum and Santos say they have stopped production at some of their oilfields off the coast as the cyclone approaches.
Meanwhile, the Karijini and Millstream Chichester national parks remain shut after the rain caused flash flooding and inundation of roads and campsites in the parks.
Duty forecaster Darryl Vink says WA should be prepared for a number of cyclones this season.
"Potentially, we normally get four to five cyclones per season; we forecast slightly above that this year so we could expect another four to five, I guess," he said.
MiNDFOOD Reader Melanie Pritchard, who lives in Port Headland, in response to our story has said:
"Thank you, it was a Windy night, much debris and uprooted trees, some minor flooding outside, still windy and the rain is still very much here, but as we are still on red alert, this is only what I can see from our home in Hedland."
