A crucial supply town in WA's north is set to remain an 'island' for the foreseeable future, with washed-away sections of flood-ravaged highway not being replaced for weeks, if not months.
Widespread flooding has caused unprecedented destruction across the Kimberley region with homes inundated with water, critical infrastructure severely damaged and tens of thousands of livestock dying.
Aside from the destruction of a bridge near Fitzroy Crossing carrying the only sealed road in the region, it's been confirmed a 10 kilometre section of Great Northern Highway south of Derby has been badly damaged.
Main Roads were set to inspect the damage from the air on Friday afternoon as floodwaters continue to recede.
It means the town of Derby, where almost 200 flood evacuees were staying, will remain isolated for a while longer.
The government said a side track would be built once conditions permitted but Shire of Derby West Kimberley president Geoff Haerewa said the repair job would take time.
"[We're looking at] six to eight weeks, but that's providing we don't get any rain over the next two months," he said.
Residents air frustration at community meeting
A community meeting was held in Derby on Thursday evening where scores of people were living in temporary accommodation after being evacuated from flood hit areas.
More than 100 people attended, with concerns raised over a lack of fuel and supplies, and the inability of teachers to return to Derby in time for school to start.
Authorities said detailed planning was ongoing and there was enough fuel and gas to last for a fortnight, with further supplies and food to arrive by plane and barge this weekend.
"Some people are coming back to town with no vehicle and they've got to get to work," said Regional Development Australia Kimberley chair Elsia Archer.
Residents also raised concerns about the behaviour of some evacuees from flood-affected communities.
"There are some that have destroyed some of the rooms in some of the accommodation, which I find really, really sad," Ms Archer said.
"The trouble is everybody gets painted with the same brush, and it's not everybody; it's just a few.
"And I find that really disturbing because some of those people have got nowhere to go. I think alcohol has a lot to do with it."
Despite these issues, Ms Archer said the community was satisfied with the response at the meeting and described the mood in town as "hopeful" and "optimistic".
"One thing about the Derby community [is] we all pull together," she said.
"Nothing's going to happen overnight, but I guess so long as we can keep the lights on and the air conditioners on, it doesn't make life too bad."
Alcohol restrictions imposed for a week
With Central Kimberley evacuees stranded in Derby and facing uncertainty over when they can return home, police have reported an increase in alcohol-related anti-social behaviour.
On Thursday, police announced the "difficult decision" of imposing liquor restrictions with immediate effect, prohibiting all sales of takeaway alcohol in Derby for a week, until January 19.
Shire of Derby West Kimberley Councillor Andrew Twaddle said he was proud of how the town had pulled together in challenging circumstances.
"Our first priority in the Shire is to ensure that everyone is safe and healthy," he said.
