Floodwaters in Western Australia Recede, Seven Travelers Safe and Well

Police in Western Australia can finally breathe a sigh of relief as they confirm that seven travelers, including four children and two elderly drivers, have been located safe and well after a harrowing ordeal. The group, which consisted of family members and community leaders, had left the town of Kalgoorlie, approximately 600 kilometers east of Perth, on Sunday to return to their home in the Tjuntjuntjara Aboriginal community.

As the group traveled north-east in two vehicles, they became stranded due to flooding, leaving their anxious family and friends waiting for updates. “Please be advised a short time ago the seven travelers were located by Police Air Wing safe and well within the search area,” a police spokesperson said.

The community, which consists of around 150 people, had been concerned for the welfare of the group, comprised of elders and artists. “They are important parts of the community, they are elders and artists, and their family is very anxious to hear from them,” said John Lark, chief executive of the Paupiyala Tjarutja Aboriginal Corporation.

Locals suspected that the group’s vehicles had become bogged down in mud, and they were anxious to have supplies airdropped to them once they were located. Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms had resulted in localized flooding and road closures, making search efforts challenging.

Search efforts had been hampered by severe weather conditions, with aircraft unable to fly for extended periods due to strong winds and low visibility. However, air assets were eventually deployed to search the vast area, and the travelers were found by Police Air Wing late in the day.

The finding comes as flooding continues to impact areas of Western Australia, with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services maintaining a storm warning for parts of the state. Heavy rainfall is expected to continue throughout the week, with flood waters expected to remain for several days.

As the region begins to recover from the flooding, communities are preparing for further weather challenges, with a tropical low expected to develop into a cyclone off the coast. The system is expected to slow down on Friday and turn southward, and then southwest over the weekend, remaining offshore from the coast.