Western Australia's Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) on Tuesday issued an emergency relocation warning for people in parts of Port Hedland due to a very likely storm surge associated with Severe Tropical Cyclone Rusty.

"People in low lying areas of Port Hedland including a small section of Pretty Pool should relocate now," the DFES said in the warning.

"Rapid and powerful flooding is very likely as Severe Tropical Cyclone Rusty crosses the coast."

The Bureau of Meteorology warned of a significant storm surge associated with Rusty on Tuesday morning.

Rusty's intensity, size and slow movement are likely to lead to a very dangerous storm tide as the cyclone centre nears the coast, the DFES says.

"Tides are likely to rise significantly above the normal high tide mark with damaging waves and very dangerous coastal inundation," the warning said.

The Bureau of Meteorology says gusts up to 195 kilometers an hour are likely to develop in coastal parts between Whim Creek and Pardoo in the Kimberly and Pilbara in Western Australia during Wednesday.

In Port Hedland, shops were being sandbagged and water and tinned food flew off the shelves as locals prepared for Cyclone Rusty, according to the Australian Associated Press (AAP).

Port Hedland's airport was closed at 9:00 p.m. (local time) on Monday, with all commercial flights canceled. Endi