Search the news, stories & people Personalise the news and stay in the know Emergency Backstory Newsletters 中文新闻 BERITA BAHASA INDONESIA TOK PISIN By Giulia Bertoglio By Roslyn Butcher Topic:Cyclones Locals navigate a flooded road aftter Ex-Tropical Cyclone Dianne caused flooding in the Kimberley. (ABC News: Andrew Seabourne) Ex-Tropical Cyclone Dianne continues to weaken as it moves inland, but residents are urged to remain on high alert for flooding. Derby has already recorded more than 130mm of rain since 9am since the system made landfall as a category one cyclone. Fitzroy Crossing, Kalumburu, Kuri Bay, Mitchell Plateau and Mount Barnett have also been warned of potential flooding. Communities in Western Australia’s north are on high alert for the risk of flooding as ex-Tropical Cyclone Dianne continues to move inland after crossing the coast on Saturday morning. After making landfall as a category one cyclone overnight, the system weakened to a tropical low around 9am as it passed to the east of Derby, which has been lashed by heavy rain. Ashley Street in Derby was inundated with water as Ex-Tropical Cyclone Dianne crossed the WA coast. (Supplied: Shire of Derby-West Kimberley) While the system is continuing to weaken, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned flash flooding is likely in the northern and western parts of the Kimberley, with the risk extending further inland as it moves south. Flooding is now the main risk after the cyclone weakened to a tropical low. (ABC News: Anthony Pancia) BOM duty forecaster Daniel Hayes said they expect areas of heavy rainfall to be concentrated around the path of the weather system. Derby, which is about 200km east of Broome, recorded 126 mm of rain in the six hours to 8.30am, while Fitzroy Crossing, Kalumburu, Kuri Bay, Mitchell Plateau and Mount Barnett were also in the firing line for a deluge. Ex-Tropical cyclone Diane is continuing to move inland. (Supplied: BOM) Derby West Kimberley shire president Peter McCumstie described the rain they had so far as “awesome”, as locals enjoyed the cooler weather and full rain gauges. “Everyone’s running around looking for jumpers they put away last winter,” he said. Mr McCumstie said there had not been any reports of damage so far, but urged residents not to be complacent, as winds and rain intensified. Phil Hams, who works on Gogo Station, just east of the Fitzroy River, welcomed the much-needed rain after a couple of drier months. “To this date, we are about 200mm down from last year,” he said. Derby was lashed by heavy rain as Cyclone Dianne Crossed the West Australian coast on Saturday morning. (ABC News: Anthony Pancia) Mr Hams said he was only expecting 20 to 30mm of rain on the station, but would be monitoring river heights “very closely”. “The next 24 to 48 hours could be interesting,” he said. Marie Richardson, one of two caretakers at the remote Mount Hart Homestead on the Gibb River Road, north-east of Derby, said the homestead recorded 140mm of rain since last Saturday, with most of that rain falling in the last three days. “It’s a river, not a creek.” Ms Richardson describes the area as “so green that it almost hurts your eyes,” but also wet and soft underfoot, which made them cancel a planned trip into Derby. Derby recorded 126 mm of rain in the six hours to 8.30am as Ex-Tropical Cyclone Dianne moved inland. (ABC News: Andrew Seabourne) Derby resident Karen Rule also said she’s been enjoying the biggest rainfall the town had experienced in a couple of months, from the safety of her house. Ms Rule said she prepared for the cyclone on Friday afternoon, which included tidying her yard. “You don’t realise how many things you’ve got lying around until you start thinking what’s going to happen when things blow when the wind comes,” she said. Local streets were battered by rain. (Supplied: Frankie Buckley) Department of Fire and Emergency Services [DFES] superintendent Wayne Green said they had not received any reports of significant damage so far. “The Kimberley region is able to sustain these type of events,” he said. A BOM satellite map of WA on Saturday, showing the ex-tropical cyclone up north. (Supplied: Bureau of Meteorology) Mr Green said DFES’ focus was on touching base with local communities and pastoralists to identify any resupply requirements. He asked motorists to respect road closures, with parts of Gibb River Road closed due to flooding. “If you don’t know the depth or the current of that water, then stay out of it,” he said. Ray McCumstie snapped this picture of the heavy rain being experienced by Derby residents. (Supplied: Ray McCumstie) Topic:World Politics Topic:Superannuation LIVE Topic:Arts, Culture and Entertainment LIVE Topic:Cyclones Cyclones Derby Extreme Weather Events Fitzroy Crossing Perth Weather Topic:World Politics Topic:Superannuation Topic:Federal Government Topic:Arts, Culture and Entertainment Topic:Stock Market Topic:Courts Topic:Trade Topic:Diet and Nutrition Topic:Explainer We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work. This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)
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This article was summarized and republished from the original source.
Please check the original article here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-29/ex-tropical-cyclone-dianne-brings-flooding-risk-to-wa-kimberley/105112090.