PM Anthony Albanese and Premier Mark McGowen viewing the WA floods’ destruction in Fitzroy Crossing. Source: Anthony Albanese via Twitter.
2023 has already seen Western Australia hit by its worst floods in history across the Kimberly region, causing widespread destruction to homes and infrastructure, and displacing residents.
The flooding was due to a record-breaking weather event caused by ex-tropical cyclone Ellie as it moved from the Northern Territory into WA.
It caused the Fitzroy River peaking at a record high of 15.8m on Wednesday afternoon. The Fitzroy Crossing bridge has also collapsed.
While the water levels have fallen significantly, WA’s emergency services minister, Stephen Dawson, has warned that the historic weather event isn’t over.
“Many roads are impassable and many communities are now isolated.
“There is a massive, massive job ahead of us … we’ve now got 250 people working on this.”
Dawson confirmed that a damage assessment and clean-up plan were completed, but it may take weeks or even months to clear the destruction from the floods.
He said, “This is just the beginning of what will be a major recovering and rebuilding effort, as we work with the Commonwealth to deliver further financial and on the ground support.”
“We’re hopeful that the ADF people will help us with that rapid damage assessment work that needs to take place, so we get a real sense of the damage that exists there.
“[But] until we can safely get out to do the work, we really won’t know the true extent of damage and what work lies ahead.”
Critical supplies are being distributed across the region to residents impacted by the floods.
At least 233 people have been rescued, evacuated, or relocated by authorities.
Emergency services teams are also deployed at Fitzroy Crossing to asses the damaged homes. Main Roads authorities expect to arrive in the coming days with divers to assess the town’s collapsed bridge.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and WA Premier Mark McGowen both flew to Fitzroy Crossing via Broome today. They viewed the WA floods from the air before arriving in the Fitzroy Crossing to visit the evacuation centre and damaged areas, and meet locals and evacuees.
Albanese confirmed that there would be a “significant” emergency assistance package for impacted residents. This includes a $10,000 housing repair grant, and up to another $10,000 to replace central household items.
Ex-tropical cyclone Ellie has returned to the NT, bringing further heavy rainfall to the territory’s south-west.
