Cyclone ZELIA: Strengthening Resilience in WA’s Resource Sector

In February 2025, Severe Tropical Cyclone ZELIA made landfall on Western Australia's Pilbara coast as a formidable Category 5 system, bringing wind gusts up to 290 km/h and heavy rainfall. The cyclone's impact was significant, yet the resource sector demonstrated remarkable resilience, underscoring the importance of robust operational resilience and business continuity planning.

Impact on the Resource Sector

Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia caused operational disruptions across major mining companies, including Rio Tinto, BHP, and Fortescue Metals Group. While the infrastructure damage was reportedly minimal, business-as-usual operations were impacted, demonstrating that even well-prepared industries are not immune to the cascading effects of extreme weather events.

Rio Tinto’s ports at Cape Lambert and Dampier had to pause operations as a precaution, delaying shipments. Similarly, BHP and Fortescue experienced temporary travel suspensions to some mine sites, affecting workforce logistics and production schedules. These operational interruptions underscore the need for structured, well-documented processes to manage business continuity and crisis response effectively.

Having a systematic approach to logging critical decisions, tracking disruptions, and implementing response actions is essential to refining resilience strategies. This is where CrisisCommand plays a crucial role. The app provides a real-time, immutable decision log, ensuring that incident responses are documented, lessons learned are captured, and future events can be managed more efficiently. By leveraging structured crisis management tools, businesses in the resource sector can better navigate disruptions, enhance their resilience, and strengthen post-incident reviews.

As industries reflect on Cyclone Zelia’s impact, now is the time to evaluate crisis management frameworks, document responses, and refine preparedness plans to mitigate future risks.

Operational Resilience and Business Continuity

The resource sector's ability to withstand Cyclone ZELIA’s challenges can be attributed to comprehensive operational resilience and business continuity strategies:

• Risk Assessment and Planning: Companies conducted thorough risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities and developed contingency plans to address potential disruptions.

• Infrastructure Reinforcement: Investments in robust infrastructure capable of withstanding extreme weather events minimized physical damage and facilitated rapid recovery.

• Supply Chain Diversification: Establishing alternative supply routes and backup suppliers ensured the continuity of operations despite logistical challenges.

• Employee Training and Safety Protocols: Regular training programs and clear safety protocols equipped employees to respond effectively during emergencies, prioritising their safety and well-being.

Community Preparedness and Support

Beyond corporate measures, community preparedness played a crucial role in mitigating Cyclone ZELIA’s impact. In Broome, for instance, supermarket shelves were emptied following the closure of the Great Northern Highway due to flooding. Efforts to reroute supplies through alternative paths were implemented, highlighting the need for community-level resilience planning.

Post-Action Review: A Call to Action

In the aftermath of Cyclone ZELIA, it is imperative for organisations and communities to engage in post-action reviews to evaluate the effectiveness of their preparedness and response strategies. Such reviews should focus on:

• Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses: Assess which measures were successful and which areas require improvement.

• Updating Emergency Plans: Revise existing plans to incorporate lessons learned and adapt to evolving risks.

• Enhancing Collaboration: Strengthen partnerships between industry stakeholders, government agencies, and local communities to ensure a coordinated response in future events.

By proactively addressing these aspects, Western Australia's resource sector and its communities can bolster their resilience against future cyclonic events, ensuring safety and operational continuity.