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Cyclone Seroja: Prime Minister Scott Morrison lands in Kalbarri in WA’s Mid West

Lanai ScarrThe West Australian
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has landed in cyclone-ravaged Kalbarri as one of the last stops on his trip to Western Australia.
Camera IconPrime Minister Scott Morrison has landed in cyclone-ravaged Kalbarri as one of the last stops on his trip to Western Australia.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has landed in cyclone-ravaged Kalbarri as one of the last stops on his trip to Western Australia.

Mr Morrison landed shortly after 12.30pm local time and had an operational briefing with the SES on the damage to the town.

He remarked upon arrival that the houses “look like sardine cans with the roof pulled off”.

“Thank you for everything you do,” he said to volunteers present.

Mr Morrison said the residents of Kalbarri “must have felt terrified” as the storm front came through.

He was told by SES superintendent Will Blackshaw that wind gusts of up to 170 kilometres an hour came through the town on Sunday night.

“We’ve had 570 requests for assistance and 170 of those are outstanding,” Superintendent Blackshaw told Mr Morrison.

The PM asked about power and water services to the town. He was told 5000 customers were still without power. Lack of power was also interrupting phone services.

Mr Morrison was told the local IGA was back up and running.

“There’s not a lot of good news but it is a good thing that people can go and get food,” Mr Morrison said.

Mr Morrison is due to have a BBQ lunch with SES volunteers before doing a further tour of the damage in the town.

More to come.

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