Carnarvon, Gascoyne brace for floods but expect to avoid big damage bill after 300mm drops in two days

As fires rage in Perth’s north-east, Carnarvon is bracing for the Gascoyne River to flood after a tropical low dumped up to 300mm of rain in the region over two days. The Shire of Carnarvon has issued an alert, saying it is working with local agencies, including the Department of Fire and Emergency Services. It warned that plantations in some areas would be flooded and evacuation centres had been set up. About 200mm of rain has fallen on Carnarvon and up to 300m further afield in the Gascoyne region since Wednesday. It marks the region’s biggest rainfall event since the devastating 2010-2011 floods which caused about $100 million damage, washed away entire homes, crops and plantations and wiped out about 2000 cattle. The previously dry Gascoyne River had reached a height of 4m by noon on Friday, and was rising rapidly. Levels are expected to peak by Saturday evening at 7.1m, just short of the almost 8m levels in 2010-11. Despite the warnings, the combination of a slightly lower river level and a $65m investment in flood mitigation measures in 2013 — largely funded by Royalties for Regions — has given residents and businesses comfort major damage would be avoided. The 24km of levee banks put in place will be tested for the first time over the weekend. Member for North West Central Vince Catania said the levy system was designed to take pressure off fast-rushing water, should the river level exceed 6.65m. “This rain is very welcome, and we don’t expect major damage,” Mr Catania said. “There is a lot of comfort that the flood mitigation levee banks have been put in place, but it is always in the back of the mind they have not yet been tested, and what could happen if it’s a very big river.” Local orchardist and former shire president Dudley Maslen said the rains had been “staggering”. “Some people will get pretty damp, but overall I think Carnarvon is now pretty safe from anything like what happened a decade ago,” Mr Maslen said. “Absolutely, the flood mitigation work plays a role in that. We have all been waiting, some of us with hope, some with confidence for it to be tested one day.” Mr Catania said the region was instead seeing the deluge as positive, recharging water reserves for irrigated horticulture in the region, and delivering a much welcome drink for the region’s parched pastoralists. “The rain will really transform pastoral land and give pastoralists a huge boost. It will really rejuvenate the country and help industry over the next 12 months,” he said. Separately, localised rainfall has caused the collapse of North West Coastal Highway to the north and south of Carnarvon, cutting off access to the town.

Carnarvon, Gascoyne brace for floods but expect to avoid big damage bill after 300mm drops in two days

Subscribe today.

Everyday Digital

Weekend Papers + Everyday Digital