Disaster funding made available for Exmouth flood damage

Disaster funding has been made available by the State and Federal Government to help the Exmouth Shire rebuild following the severe flash flooding which hit the region last month.

In a 24-hour period from April 9-10, around 175mm was recorded, causing damage to roads and infrastructure.

Exmouth Shire president Matthew Niikkula said the floodwater drained away quickly, but exposed a “huge amount” of damage to road infrastructure in and around town, as well as footpaths and verges.

“It was an incredible amount of rain to receive in such a short period of time, and the way Exmouth is situated between the Cape Range and the Gulf, it is always inevitable that we will receive intense flash flooding,” he said.

“We are still open for business, we are a resilient destination and the clean-up is well under way.”

Last week, disaster assistance was made available through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Federal Emergency Management Minister David Littleproud said the event had caused “widespread” disruption to communities and threatened lives and property.

“Some travellers were left stranded, and at one point, residents were cut off from the town centre due to fast-moving floodwaters and road damage,” he said.

WA Emergency Services Minister Reece Whitby said the “unusual” deluge was heaviest in the northern part of the North West Cape and was equivalent to about nine months worth of rain.

“Financial assistance, through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, will enable communities in the shire of Exmouth to rebuild vital infrastructure and minimise the impact on the local economy,” he said.