The first major drop of supplies has landed at Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia's Kimberley region, after former tropical cyclone Ellie caused record-breaking floods.
A plane filled with critical supplies — including food, medicine and bedding — reached the community on Saturday morning.
The Fitzroy River peaked at a record height of 15.8 metres at Fitzroy Crossing on Wednesday afternoon but is expected to fall below the major flood level of 12.5 metres today.
Floodwaters have caused significant damage to roads and infrastructure in the region, leaving many communities isolated.
Foundation for Indigenous Sustainable Health (FISH) chief executive Mark Anderson said the resupply operation took two days to begin, due to dangerous weather conditions.
"We were on the tarmac yesterday, had everything about to go into the plane and the airstrip got closed for the plane we were flying in," he said.
"We've been able to flip that around and get a lighter plane to come in this morning and get our first load in, the second load we're hoping to get in this afternoon."
FISH has supplied residents with non-food critical items, including blankets, first-aids kits and dry covers.
Among the supplies are seven palettes of dog food to ensure the welfare of the town's beloved pets.
Distance proves a challenge
Mr Anderson said the distance between the remote, flood-affected communities had proved a challenge for emergency services.
"As we flew in today, there's hundreds and hundreds of kilometres of inland ocean that was once land. So, trying to traverse that, that's going to take a long time for that water to go away," he said.
"Once the water goes away, then we'll be able to ascertain the damage to the roads, the bridges and all things like that."
Mr Anderson said the Fitzroy Crossing community was coming together to distribute the supplies.
"This morning was a great example, we had DFES, we had [Aboriginal resource agency] Marra Worra Worra, we had the airport staff, we had everyone unloading the planes, getting it on the trucks and getting it into town," he said.
Arrival of supplies a great relief
Fitzroy Crossing resident Jay Stewart said the delivery of essential supplies was a great relief for the town.
"No-one understood when it was going to come and how and where from," he said.
"We're all helping and chipping in."
Mr Stewart said the water levels were rapidly decreasing, which he said was a comforting sight.
"We all put in together and then see how much we can do after once it's all disappeared," he said.
Conditions ease as flood levels fall
Emergency Services Minister, Stephen Dawson said the easing of conditions had made room for supply operations.
"Thankfully, due to improved weather conditions yesterday, resupply operations were able to commence into Fitzroy Crossing," he said.
Four trucks made their way to Derby yesterday with food and fuel.
Mr Dawson thanked the people involved in assisting with the emergency operation.
"About 250 people across the state have been working on this situation and whether they're volunteers or staff from a range of government agencies, I do want to say thank you to them," he said.
"I also want to say thank you to the people in the communities who are affected, thank you for your patience [and] perseverance.
"While they get weather similar to this every year, nothing [as serious as] this has ever been experienced in Western Australia before."
A community meeting is set to be held at Fitzroy Crossing later on Saturday, with both the emergency minister and DFES commissioner to attend.
"We're really looking forward to sitting down with community leaders and the elders and talking through the challenges they've had and how we can make sure that we're providing what they need to keep them in their community safe," Commissioner Darren Klemm said.
More help on the way for remote communities
More than 40 permits have also been issued for triple road trains to take supplies up through South Australia and Northern Territory, over to Kununurra and down to Halls Creek.
"The [helicopter] will be here early next week and they will be put to good use fairly immediately, to help with transferring people who need to be relocated, but also getting much-needed supplies into various communities across right across the Kimberley," Mr Dawson said.
An additional evacuation centre has opened in Derby, which Mr Dawson said was expected to fill today.
"We'll start airlifting people across to Broome," he said.
"So far, we've had about 105 people relocated. They're from Noonkanbah, Boogardie, Muludja and Fitzroy Crossing."
Record water levels in Looma and Willare are expected to rise over the coming days, with authorities working to evacuate residents.
An emergency alert has been issued for people in Noonkanbah, Looma, Willare, Camballin and Pandanus Park, as floodwaters pose a threat to lives and homes.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said a C-130 aircraft had arrived in Western Australia.
"That's the second defence force aircraft, full of defence personnel, to provide on-the-ground support," he said.
Mr Albanese said his government stood ready to provide whatever support was needed.
Relief fund to open to the public
The Lord Mayor's Distress Relief Fund will be open for public donations from midday on Monday.
Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas said the state government had already contributed $3 million and the fund's board had given $500,000.
He said similar events in the past had shown the generosity of West Australians.
"It produces the best of Western Australian spirit, helping one another, contributing for one another making sure that people give whatever they can afford to give to be able to help those fellow West Australians affected by this once-in-100-year flood event."
