A record flood has hit Western Australia’s Kimberley region as ex-tropical Cyclone Ellie passes through the region.
The Fitzroy River was above 15 metres on Tuesday morning and was projected to reach 15.6 metres on Tuesday night – 1.5 metres higher than the previous record.
Homes and businesses were swamped, people were being evacuated and animals fled as Ellie moved slowly from Fitzroy Crossing to Broome. It is likely to be near Broome by Wednesday morning.
The state government declared an emergency situation and told people in Fitzroy Crossing to evacuate if possible. Water pouring over the Fitzroy Crossing Bridge damaged its piers and surrounding roads were closed.
“I don’t think anyone ever envisaged where we’d see the water running over the top of that bridge – it’s a terrible state of affairs,” the fire and emergency services commissioner, Darren Klemm, said.
Record flood at Fitzroy Crossing bridge in WA’s Kimberley region. Residents being evacuated as ex TC Ellie moves westwards . Pic by Andrea Myers. #abcnews pic.twitter.com/oAex4cHVNv
— Claire Moodie (@clairemoodie) January 3, 2023
On Tuesday, the Bureau of Meteorology warned of intense rainfall, damaging winds and flash flooding.
Wind peaks of 100km/h were possible, the bureau said, adding that “the extended nature of this event and associated flooding is unusual and dangerous”.
Derby, Cape Leveque, Cockatoo Island and Kuri Bay could also be affected.
The bureau’s James Ashley said an “amazing amount of water” had fallen and Ellie had the potential to “reinvigorate” into a cyclone if it reached the open ocean.
The WA emergency services minister, Stephen Dawson, said there had been 18 calls for assistance so far.
“This is a dangerous and fast-changing situation and more rain is expected over the next few days,” he said.
“Please take care of yourself and your family members and stay tuned to the emergency WA website and the local ABC station.”
Anyone considering travelling to the region should reconsider, he said.
Klemm said it was at least a one-in-100-year flood. Authorities were delivering supplies to Aboriginal communities and Fitzroy Crossing but deliveries were being complicated by the weather, he said.
It was “incredibly sad” to see animals swept away in the water and it would to take a long time for the water to recede.
