Coconut Wells residents stranded as heavy rain destroys Broome road

Residents of a rural estate outside of Broome have been left stranded after the only access road to their properties was destroyed by torrential rain overnight. More than 230mm of rain fell in Broome in the 24 hours to 7am Monday, the most in one day since February 2018, flooding major roadways and forcing the closure of the newly-revamped Short Street in Chinatown. Williams Road in Coconut Wells has also been destroyed in the carnage — the only access road for residents living at the end of the road — leaving residents unable to get to work or the shops. Williams Street resident Gill Hitchins said they had been pleading for the road to be sealed for years. “There are six families that access this road to get to our properties and we all pay rates, yet the Shire will not listen to us,” she said. “This is as bad as four years ago when my car got bogged in a hole driving down Williams road after work and I got pneumonia walking home in weather conditions like this.” Meanwhile Broome residents are being warned to avoid floodwaters which are potentially contaminated by wastewater in the wake of heavy rainfall overnight. Water Corporation crews are working to manage flows through the town’s wastewater scheme, however residents have been told to assume floodwater is contaminated and avoid contact with it. Anyone who does come into contact with flood waters is urged to immediately wash their hands and affected areas of the body, change out of clothes and to contact a doctor immediately if any illness is experienced. A DFES spokesperson said people should take care on the roads and avoid driving through flood waters. “Floodwaters could take control of a four-wheel drive in just 30cm of flowing water,” they said. “No one should walk, swim or play in floodwaters and, if a road is closed, it’s closed. “Never assume that you will be safe because you’re familiar with the roads, nine out of 10 flood water deaths on WA roads involve a local motorist.” There has been no impact on drinking water quality, and the Broome South Wastewater Treatment Plant is operating as normal. Residents are being urged to report any water or wastewater faults or overflows to Water Corporation’s 24/7 Operations Centre on 13 13 75. Fitzroy Crossing also copped heavy rain, with more than 125mm falling overnight. The Fitzroy River has reached 11m at the bridge and with plenty more rain on the way is expected to keep rising through the week. That rain has led to the closure of the Great Northern Highway between Fitzroy and Halls Creek, and authorities have warned this could remain in place for the week. The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast heavy falls for the west and central Kimberley until at least Wednesday, while further east Kununurra and Wyndham can expect showers and storms through the week.