 Paul formed about 1000 km (620 mi) north of Karratha on 13 April 2000 and moved west, away from the West Australian coastline, thus never posing any threat to coastal communities.The cyclone showed rapid intensification and Severe Tropical Cyclone Paul reached Category 5 status during 15 April, and the lowest central pressure was estimated to have been about 920 hPa the following day.Severe Tropical Cyclone Paul passed about 200 km (125 mi) to the south of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands during the 17th and the central pressure was estimated to be about 940 hPa.