Significant rain and strong winds have hit Broome, north west of Western Australia overnight as a tropical low-pressure system moved over the town.
Approximately 406.4mm of rain hit the Kimberley town between 9am yesterday and 7am this morning.
Wind gusts up to 98 km per hour uplifted trees from their roots, with many lucky to survive being crushed.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology Broome doubled its average January rainfall over a 22-hour period.
A tropical low pressure system has dumped more than 400mm of rain #Broome #WA since 9am Monday, causing flooding in and around the town. Wind gusts of up to 106kmh were recorded at Broome Airport: https://t.co/HIM8zTPLoS @abckimberley #waweather pic.twitter.com/kMd0eqD57J — ABC Emergency (@ABCemergency) January 30, 2018
DFES Acting Superintendent Glenn Hall told local media the low-pressure system was stronger than the recent cyclone in some aspects.
“Certainly in weather, in regards to wind I would say it was similar in regards to wind but certainly more (severe) in rainfall,” he said.
He warned people living in the Kimberley region, they are only in the middle of their cyclone season which doesn’t end until early April.
The massive rainfall has resulted in the closure of major highways in the north-west of Western Australia.
The Great Northern Highway from Sandfire Roadhouse to the Roebuck Plains has been closed due to flooding.
As well as the 651 kilometres long stretch from Roebuck Roadhouse to Halls Creek has also been closed.
This has essentially left Broome isolated for the time being.
Acting Superintendent Glenn Hall says there currently has been no report of injuries, though he did confirm property and vegetation damage.
Mr Hall also said the DFES did not activate the welfare centre for those in Broome who don’t have a place to go.
He said he has received no reports of complaints that no welfare centre was set up.
The Kimberley region has the highest number of remote communities in Western Australia.
DFES is warning residents to remain on alert for the next 24 hours with a severe weather warning still in place for the area.
