Tropical Cyclone Veronica has been downgraded to Category 2, but the slow-moving storm threatens to bring floods as it tracks west close to WA’s Pilbara coast today.

A red alert remains in place between Port Hedland and Mardie, with residents urged to seek shelter immediately.

Veronica, formerly at Category 4, is producing sustained winds near the centre of 95kmh, with gusts to 130kmh, the Bureau of Meteorology says.

It is estimated to be 75 kilometres east-northeast of Karratha and 115 kilometres west of Port Hedland.

“Widespread, very heavy rainfall conducive to major flooding is likely over the Pilbara coast and adjacent inland areas during [today],” the bureau said. “Heavy rainfall is expected to result in significant river rises, areas of flooding and hazardous road conditions.

“Some roads may become impassable and some communities may become isolated.”

The Pilbara coast between Roebourne and west of Port Hedland can expect destructive winds, with gusts exceeding 125kmh.

Veronica hit the northwest WA coast yesterday afternoon and eased to a Category 3 storm by the evening as it made its way inland.

In the NT, Ex-Tropical Cyclone Trevor continues to drench southeast areas, with more than 1000mm of rain predicted in the Barkly and Simpson districts. This could lead to flash flooding, the bureau says. A severe weather warning is in place for the districts.

Trevor approached the NT coast on Saturday morning as a Category 4 storm but eased to Category 1 by the evening.

More than 2000 residents in the storm’s path were evacuated, in the biggest such operation in the NT since Tracy in 1974.

The Insurance Council of Australia says it has no information on damage caused by the two cyclones.

See ANALYSIS.