Disaster Assistance Has Been Made Available To Kimberley Regions Affected By Floods

WA Premier Mark McGowan has warned the recovery process for Kimberley Shires affected by the recent record-breaking floods will take some time, as it was announced that disaster assistance relief has been made available to the flood affected communities.

In a joint media statement with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese earlier today, the shires of Derby West Kimberley, Broome, Wyndham East Kimberley and Halls Creek will now be eligible for assistance measures through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

“We have already deployed aircraft to assist with evacuations and to transport crucial supplies, and will continue to provide support now and long after the water recedes,” Prime Minister Albanese said. “I’d like to thank all of our hard working emergency services personnel and volunteers for their hard work and assistance during this unprecedented event.”

The “un-precedented” heavy rainfall from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie at the end of last year has seen widespread rainfall reaching totals between 200-500mm, with Fitzroy River to Fitzroy Crossing reaching levels of 15.81m.

It’s had a devastating impact on on major roads and infrastructure, along with isolated towns like Fitzroy Crossing and some remote indigenous communities.

“This is a once-in-a-century event so the State and Federal Governments will work for as long as it takes to ensure communities recover and rebuild,” said Mr McGowan. “We’ll continue to work cooperatively with the Federal Government to get support out to the communities affected and I thank everyone who has been assisting in the response for their efforts.”

Along with the disaster relief funds announced, Mr McGowan also announced that the Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund appeal for the Kimberley Floods is now open for public donation.

Image Credit: Main Roads WA