 Port Hedland experienced gale-force winds for a period of 18 hours and near storm force winds with gusts to 124 km/h (78 mph) were observed on 15 December for most of the day.A maximum storm surge of 2 metres was recorded by the Port Hedland Authority at 6 am WST.At Karratha, on the western side of the circulation, the maximum wind gust recorded was 113 km/h (70 mph).