WA: Cyclone Walter lashes Cocos Island

AAP General News (Australia)
04-05-2001
WA: Cyclone Walter lashes Cocos Island

PERTH, April 5 AAP - Severe tropical cyclone Walter lashed Cocos Island with winds
and rain today as the storm's destructive centre slipped past the remote Indian Ocean
community.

Category-two Walter buffeted the Australian territory with winds of up to 90kph as
it passed directly north of the community, the weather bureau said today.

A forecaster said the circle of destructive winds at Walter's centre had only just
missed Cocos Island, leaving it vulnerable only to the gale-force winds whipped up on
the cyclone's outskirts.

"The island is probably experiencing the worst of it now (1.30pm WST)," he said.

"Conditions are likely to improve over the next three or four hours."

Walter was expected to veer south once it had passed the island and moved deep into
the Indian Ocean off the Western Australian coastline.

AAP lk/gmw

KEYWORD: WALTER (CARRIED EARLIER)

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