The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is working with the Western Australian Department of Communities to relocate Fitzroy Crossing area families whose houses have been hit by the state’s worst flood disaster on record.
Having evacuated people with severe health conditions earlier, the department is using C-27J Spartan aircraft to transport community members who are unable to access their homes because of flood damage in the aftermath of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie.
Senior Project Officer with the Department of Communities, Jeanette Gould, said the agency supports people with accommodation or helps them to move in with family or relatives, where possible.
“There are many people whose houses have been inundated with flood waters and there is no timeframe on when they will be able to move back in,” Ms Gould said.
“We are working with Defence to transfer those people to Broome, from where we will provide them with food, money, emergency clothing, help reunify them with family and, if needed, offer them counselling.”
The airstrip at Fitzroy Crossing was initially cut off by flooding, but Defence aircraft are now able to use it to move supplies and personnel around the region.
Air Force loadmaster Corporal Deniele Oehm was part of the crew that helped 14 people from three families on one of the first Defence evacuation flights out of Fitzroy Crossing.
“These families are so thankful, and it’s great to see the kids so excited,” Corporal Oehm said.
“It was just a matter of making them feel comfortable, because this was their first time on a military aircraft.”
At the request of the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Emergency Management Agency, Defence will continue to provide transport aircraft, helicopters and personnel to assist flood-affected residents.
