In a catastrophic event, a once-in-a-century flood has swamped remote towns in Western Australia’s far north, isolating residents from the outside world. The Fitzroy River, which is experiencing “one of the highest flow rates ever seen” in Australia, has inundated homes, businesses, and infrastructure, leaving many residents worried about food and fuel supplies.
The river’s flow rate has jumped from its usual 8,000 cubic meters per second to an astonishing 60,000 cubic meters per second, with over 200mm of rain falling in just 24 hours. The floodwaters have reached a record-high level of 15.75 meters, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of residents.
As the town of Fitzroy Crossing became completely isolated, residents were airlifted by helicopter to nearby Broome, 350 kilometers away. The Great Northern Highway, the main route connecting the town to the outside world, was cut in both directions, making it impossible to travel to or from the area.
The Western Australian emergency services minister, Stephen Dawson, described the situation as “extremely challenging” for residents, with many people suffering and struggling to access basic necessities. He revealed that there have been 39 requests for emergency assistance, and the government is working to evacuate people from remote Aboriginal communities and bring in essential supplies.
Heavy Rain Looms in AustraliaA local resident, Chris Lozenicins, expressed concern about the dwindling food and fuel supplies in the town, with many low-lying businesses affected by the floodwaters. “The supplies within IGA and Coles Express are basically dwindling, and there’s no sign of a truck coming in for another week,” he said.
To address the crisis, the Australian government has approved a request for defense force aircraft and personnel to help evacuate residents from Fitzroy Crossing and nearby areas. The Australian Defense Force has deployed three C130 aircraft, each capable of carrying 80 passengers, and a C27 aircraft that can carry 30 passengers.
Despite the challenges, authorities are prioritizing the preservation of lives and evacuating people from impacted areas. Residents are being warned not to drive into water and to avoid power lines and trees. The town’s emergency services manager, Kandula Herat, is working to set up more evacuation centers and is seeking a bigger boat with a bigger motor to transport people across the floodwaters.
As the situation unfolds, the community is coming together to support each other, with many residents helping to evacuate families alongside authorities from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services. The floods have also forced the evacuation of two sanctuaries run by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, with several people still stranded in wilderness camps and awaiting rescue.