The low moved west into a favourable environment and intensified into Tropical Cyclone Elaine on 15 March.

Elaine made landfall over Western Australia with 56 kilometres per hour (35 mph) winds.

On 15 March, the storm attained wind speeds more than 56 kilometres per hour (35 mph) and was designated as Tropical Cyclone 28S.

The system underwent explosive intensification[2] and reached severe tropical storm status on 17 March.

[2][3] Elaine then dropped to tropical storm status, with deep convection being stripped away from the system.

The low continued to impact Western Australia until Elaine dissipated on 20 March, around 12:00 UTC.

[7] Due to the damage and flooding of Moora and the Moore River, the name Elaine was retired and replaced with Emma in 2006, which would affect the same area and do more than $700,000 (2006 USD).