A category one cyclone has formed off the West Australian coast and is expected to intensify before it makes landfall on Saturday.
Tropical Cyclone Stan, the first for the Australian cyclone season, is currently 305km northwest of Port Hedland, tracking south towards the Pilbara region.
The cyclone is expected to intensify to a category two cyclone and land between Pardoo and Whim Creek on Saturday, the Bureau of Meteorology says.
There is a risk that the cyclone could reach category three intensity just prior to landfall.
Destructive winds of up to 150km/h are expected near the cyclone's centre on early Saturday morning near Port Hedland.
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Gales with gusts of up to 100km/h are likely to develop in coastal parts between Wallal and Dampier on Friday evening and Saturday morning.
People between Pardoo and Whim Creek, including Port Hedland, have been warned of potential dangerous storm tides as the cyclone crosses the coast on Saturday morning, with damaging waves and flooding expected.
A yellow cyclone alert has been issued for people in communities between Pardoo to Mardie including Port Hedland, South Hedland, Wickham, Point Samson, Roebourne, Karratha, Whim Creek and Dampier need to take action and get ready to shelter from a cyclone.
A blue alert remains in place for people between Bidyadanga to Pardoo including Marble Bar, Sandfire and Pardoo and between Mardie and Pannawonica, who need to prepare for cyclonic weather.
Port Hedland shipping channel and port was officially closed at 11am on Friday morning.
At the Port of Dampier, the inner anchorages, Dampier Cargo Wharf and Bulk Liquids Berth were scheduled to close at midday, while the port will officially close at 6pm.
