Cyclone Sean was today tracking away from the WA coastline after reaching category 4 intensity and bringing record rainfall to Karratha.

Pilbara Ports, a WA government enterprise, closed Port Hedland and other ports in the region on Saturday as the storm gained intensity. Operations resumed yesterday as the cyclone headed southwest.

“Winds are easing over the far west Pilbara and far northwest Gascoyne,” the Bureau of Meteorology said today. “Sean has weakened to category 3 over cooler waters, is forecast to continue weakening and is likely to be below tropical cyclone strength by Thursday.”

Sean is the first cyclone declared an event by the Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation this summer, with the claims period for scheme insurers beginning at 10am (AEST) on Sunday.

Karratha received a record 274.4mm of rain in the 24 hours to 9am local time yesterday, while wind gusts topped 100km/h as the cyclone brought severe weather while remaining offshore.

The WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services said today it had received 49 requests for help, mostly for low-level water ingress, sandbagging and fallen trees. Karratha accounted for the largest number of requests, followed by Roebourne.

Media reported that iron ore producer Rio Tinto’s rail and port infrastructure experienced some flooding. Other miners shipping from the Pilbara region include BHP and Fortescue Metals.