Port Hedland residents Zach Green and Bobbi Lockyer had planned to wait out the cyclone at home, but made the last minute decision to shelter with family nearby.
Their home narrowly avoided being struck by a tree.
“We just came around the corner and saw the tree and just realised how lucky we were that it’s landed in between the house and Bobbi’s studio as well,” Mr Green said.
“We are just very, very lucky the whole of Hedland dodged a bullet with not getting the eye of cat five.”
Ms Lockyer was putting on a brave face for her three children, but said inside she felt terrified.
“When we left the house, I kind of said my goodbyes and thought we weren’t going to come back to a house,” she said.
“It was a rollercoaster of emotions. Even though we were as prepared as we could be … it was so much uncertainty.
“We were just grateful that we were together and the kids were safe.”