Prime Minister visits flood-stricken Kimberley region - 9News

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has landed in Western Australia to witness first hand the record-breaking floods that have devastated the Kimberley region.

He'll be joining WA Premier Mark McGowan to hear from residents and farmers who are counting the cost of the emergency which has caused severe damage to homes and infrastructure.

The Prime Minister is expected to announce a joint Disaster Relief package. Earlier today, the federal government launched disaster relief measures for Northern Territory communities impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie.

Hundreds of residents have been impacted by the major flooding in outback WA. (Nine)

Albanese's visit comes after Western Australia's biggest mercy mission began rolling into the Kimberley after floods devastated the outback region.

Road trains have been loaded onto barges bound for Broome to resupply bare supermarket shelves in the town.

The clean-up is beginning, with SES crews cutting down trees and clearing roadways.

Kimberley locals are starting to wrap their heads around the destruction caused by the floods.

More than 230 people have so far been pulled from the danger zone.

"It's an absolute national disaster, it's come from completely left field," cattle farmer Lachy McClymont, said.

Farmers are preparing to survey the damage after the floods. (Nine)

"We haven't had much to think about it, there'll be an emotional shock at some point I'm sure."

Farmers are also preparing to survey the damage and are literally counting the cost.

Cattle stations are relying on expensive food airdrops from helicopters to keep stock alive.

Lauren Bell from Kimberley Cattle Association said it was going to be a hard year.

"We are really concerned about the long-term mental health and emotional toll of this. It's only January, it's going to be a really long year for people," she said.

But the message for some isn't sinking in.

Authorities rescued three kids playing in floodwaters near Broome yesterday, with 230 people rescued in total. (Nine)

Authorities rescued three children playing in floodwaters near Broome on Saturday.

One local member fears the damage and recovery bill will be eye-watering.

While Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said it was too early to say what the cost would be, opposition spokesperson Neil Thomson said he expects it to run into the billions of dollars.

"We have to be thinking in those terms," Thomson said.

Cattle stations are relying on expensive food airdrops from helicopters to keep stock alive. (Nine)

An ADF aircraft has dropped off medical supplies to Derby and soon evacuees could be flown from the town to Broome.

Those left homeless could call the dormant Bullsbrook quarantine hub in Perth home.

Work is underway to turn the facility into temporary accommodation as the region rebuilds.

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2023-01-08 22:02:19Z
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