Cities in northern Western Australia are under threat as the Kimberley flood emergency intensifies.
Homes are being flooded leaving residents stranded and there are fears supplies are running critically low.
The Australian Defense Force has sent three aircraft to the region as the once-in-100-year event is far from over.
Cities in northern Western Australia are under threat as the Kimberley flood emergency intensifies. (9News) In a 24-hour period, 209 millimeters of rain fell in Broome. (9 News)
Broome is being battered by heavy rain and strong winds, with authorities predicting the holiday hotspot will be cut off on Thursday.
In a 24-hour period, 209 millimeters of rain fell on Broome as gusts of up to 94 kilometers per hour uprooted trees.
Roebuck Plains quickly collapsed with every bottle shop in the tropical town closed.
The airport is also out of action until further notice.
Gusts of up to 94 kilometers per hour uprooted trees. (9 News)
Meanwhile, the city of Derby is becoming more like a river as waters flood the community.
“Broome and the Roebuck Plain are also likely to be cut off by water as early as this morning,” Department of Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm said.
The situation makes matters worse for residents of Fitzroy Crossing, who are stuck in a once-in-100-year flood emergency.
A local service station was forced to close in Broome amid flood waters. (9 News)
The Fitzroy River Bridge now stands at 15.75 metres, beating the previous record of 2002 by six feet.
The river, which used to be 100 meters wide, is now an incredible 15 kilometers long with 60,000 cubic meters flowing per second.
WA Bureau of Meteorology manager James Ashley said it was “probably one of the highest flows we’ve ever seen in Australian rivers”.
WA Bureau of Meteorology manager James Ashley said it was “probably one of the highest flows we’ve ever seen in Australian rivers”. (9 News)
“In one day, we expect the amount of water moving through the Fitzroy River in one day to be about what Perth uses in 20 years,” he said.
The evacuation center at Fitzroy Crossing is almost at hand, with dozens of residents after they were forced to flee when their homes collapsed.
“It’s basically bunk beds in a REC center,” Fitzroy Crossing resident Chris Lozenicins said.
“We also have very little high ground now,” Fitzroy River resident Natalie Davey said. (9 News)
“We also have very little high ground now,” Fitzroy River resident Natalie Davey said.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services will work closely with the Defense Forces during the major rescue operation.
A second evacuation center is set to open in Fitzroy Crossing tomorrow with fears supplies are running out fast.
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Routes in and out of Broome are expected to be flooded in the morning, but road disruptions could last for at least a week.
Rapid damage assessment teams have also been deployed to the Kimberley region, but it could be months before the true extent of the damage is known.