Heavy rain caused by ex-tropical cyclone Ellie has cut off towns, leaving residents no choice but to evacuate.
Broome is the latest town to be cut off by the floodwaters, stranding thousands of residents and tourists.
A flood watch is in place for the Sandy Desert, Tanami Desert and Western Desert, including the Balgo area.
“People in the north of WA experience these types of weather conditions at this time of year but the extended nature of this event and associated flooding is unusual and dangerous,” the Bureau of Meteorology said.
The bureau said ex-tropical cyclone Ellie is currently 250km south-east of Broome and is forecast to track south-eastwards into the northern interior this afternoon.
“Heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding is likely over parts of southwestern Kimberley, northeastern Pilbara, and the North Interior districts today,” the bureau said.
“Six-hourly rainfall totals between 70mm to 120mm with 24-hourly totals up to 150mm are likely.
“Localised intense rainfall which may lead to dangerous flash flooding is possible closer to the system in the western and southern sectors of the low, easing this morning.
“Six-hourly rainfall totals between 100mm to 140mm with 24-hourly totals up to 200mm are possible in this area.”
Damaging wind gusts of up to 90km/h are possible today along with the heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.
Meanwhile, at Fitzroy Crossing, one of the worst hit areas, the river has peaked but not without wreaking havoc across the region.
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The Fitzroy River Bridge peaked at 15.81 metres overnight and authorities are concerned the infrastructure has been destroyed.
If the bridge is destroyed the economic and logistical impact on the region has been likened to the “Sydney Harbour Bridge collapsing”.
Fitzroy Crossing resident Geoff David told Today the community is coming to terms with the damage caused by floodwaters after the river peaked overnight.
“We’ve gone from a state of anxiety about high the river will come through to a sense of relief the river has peaked and we now know we’re not going to go any higher,” he said.
”The extent of the damage that has been done is beginning to sink home.”
But Davis said despite the disaster there have been glimmers of community resilience.
Davis said the young people who picked up the famous Ngurrara canvas and moved it to higher ground revealed how the community rallied together in the face of disaster.
But the floodwaters may have peaked, the damage has been irrevocable.
The number of livestock lost in the floodwaters is not yet known nor is the extent of damage to farms in the region.
“You can hear the bellowing of the cattle as they get washed down the river,” Davis said.
”My mate reckons he saw hundreds of cattle floating down the river.”
