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Ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle has left devastation in its wake for Exmouth locals, but for those in Carnarvon the flow on effects from the storm are just beginning.
The system dumped more than 350 millimetres of rain across areas like Exmouth and Carnarvon, and emergency services have issued a flood watch-and-act warning along several of the major rivers in the region.
Communities living along the Gascoyne River are urged to leave, particularly those in the low-lying parts of Carnarvon where “access may become unsafe”.
“It is highly likely that people located east of Boundary Road will be affected by rising floodwaters and may be inundated. Prepare to leave now,” the EmergencyWA website states.
The flood peak is likely to occur at Nine Mile Bridge on Monday afternoon.
The Department of Communities has set up an evacuation centre at the Carnarvon PCYC in preparation for overnight flooding into Monday morning.
However, no significant rainfall is forecast over the Gascoyne River catchment in the next few days.
There is also a possible threat to lives and homes due to dangerous and widespread flooding along the Lyndon-Minilya River.
“Water will be fast flowing and levels will rise quickly,” the emergency website states.
A flood advice warning was issued for those in the Wooramel River catchment, but there is no immediate threat to the community.
The warnings come after a couple became stuck along Great Northern Highway after ignoring orders from authorities and driving through road closures.
Department of Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm said the incident “underscores the importance of … not driving through floodwaters”.
“You just never know what’s there in terms of depth and the status of the road,” he said.
He said the volume of water throughout the Northwest Cape, and as far south as Carnarvon, was significant.
“We really do want people to be patient in terms of the roads. It’s going to take a long time for the water to dissipate. Some of those roads are significantly underwater,” Klemm said.
A number of roads, including the Great Northern Highway, North West Coastal Highway and Indian Ocean Drive remained closed due to water inundation as of Sunday afternoon, cutting off access points to Exmouth.
Although the airport remains mostly closed, a section of runway has been approved for smaller private planes to land.
WA Premier Roger Cook is set to fly into the town to assess the wreckage first-hand and to meet the locals impacted on Monday.
Relief payments between $1000 and $4000 will be available to those in need, to help with accommodation, purchasing essential food or securing emergency transport.
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Holly Thompson is a journalist with WAtoday, specialising in education and the environment.Connect via X or email.From our partners
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