As a result of the devastation caused by floods to roads and bridges, authorities report that some evacuation centers have struggled to accommodate the displaced population.
A region in the northwest of Australia has been struck by “once-in-a-century” floods. Forcing military aircraft to evacuate residents from flood-ravaged communities.
The crisis in the Kimberley region of Western Australia was triggered by the former tropical cyclone Ellie. Which dumped an entire year’s worth of rain in a matter of days.
Aircraft assisted in the airlifting of supplies and the evacuation of residents from cut-off towns such as Fitzroy Crossing. Which is home to approximately 1,000 people.
Authorities have described it as a “once-in-a-century” flood event, and the country’s prime minister has vowed to repair homes. And rebuild infrastructure as he tours flood-affected remote communities.
Stephen Dawson, minister of emergency services for Western Australia, stated, “People in the Kimberley are experiencing a flood event that occurs once every 100 years, the worst flooding in Western Australia’s history.”
He also stated that “water is everywhere” and that in some areas, the inundation was 31 miles (50 kilometers) wide and “as far as the eye can see.”
Australia’s ‘once-in-a-century’ flood waters
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that it is too early to estimate the total cost of rebuilding destroyed highways and bridges, but that it will be “very large.”
The flooding follows a year of unseasonably wet conditions that brought four major floods to the eastern United States.
The floods have destroyed roads and bridges, and authorities have warned. Some evacuation centers cannot accommodate the number of displaced people.
The Great Northern Highway, which connects the country’s vast north, is broken in several places, according to authorities. As the swollen Fitzroy River poured onto floodplains, in some places extending for miles from the riverbed.
Sunday, state authorities reported that more than 280 people have been evacuated or relocated throughout the region.
Monday, Geoff Haerewa, president of the Derby and West Kimberly Shire, stated on 6PR radio that the evacuation center at Fitzroy Crossing lacked sufficient toilets and facilities to accommodate up to 300 displaced people.
Mr. Albanese pledged A$10,000 (£5,700) for home repairs and up to the same amount to replace household goods on Monday.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, 2022 was the ninth wettest year in history.
