Residents of Kimberley are waiting with bated breath as significant evacuations from record-breaking floods have been postponed owing to extreme weather, with no word on when stranded residents will be evacuated from Fitzroy Crossing.
Darren Klemm, the chief of WA’s emergency services, has called the situation “the worst flooding crisis our state has ever seen,” with authorities working feverishly to rescue residents.
Over the last week, ex-tropical cyclone Ellie has pounded north-west Australia, with the Fitzroy River reaching record-breaking levels. This has caused substantial damage to residences and businesses at Fitzroy Crossing, around five hours east of Broome, forcing inhabitants to evacuate to emergency shelters.
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The Defence Force has been called in to help evacuate, with DFES transporting some vulnerable people from Central Kimberley villages including Noonkanbah and Bungardi to Broome and Derby on Thursday.
However, a C-130 Hercules plane meant to evacuate more people were forced to reroute to Port Hedland after failing to land in Broome due to heavy weather.
Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said significant evacuations would take place from Fitzroy Crossing once it was safe to do so — but did not commit to a time frame.
“The priority is evacuation, relocation and resupply,” he said. “The Fitzroy airstrip is being cleared and will be able to receive some aircraft for the resupply and relocation efforts.”
Minister Dawson said that 900 kilograms of food had been delivered to Fitzroy Crossing, with another 3,000kg due to arrive later today.
“Two fixed-wing aircraft are dedicated to starting resupply operations out of Broome and onto the ground at Fitzroy Crossing as soon as the weather permits,” he said. “Marra Worra Worra has helped by transferring food and frozen food — they are also providing meals and bedding in the region.”
Meanwhile, residents of Fitzroy Crossing are waiting to know when they will be evacuated, as floodwaters begin to recede. The Fitzroy River crested at a record 15.81m in town on Wednesday afternoon before gradually dropping over the next 24 hours to Friday.
Authorities updated neighbours on the most recently available information during a neighbourhood gathering Thursday night.
However, there is some frustration among residents at the supply of food and other essentials, with uncertainty over whether they will be evacuated, and when.
This story was adapted from Abc.net.
