Heavy rain has caused supply chain havoc across Western Australia's East Kimberley region as authorities warn residents to watch rising river levels.
Key points:
- The East Kimberley has been cut off by road after the closure of the Victoria Highway at Bulla
- There are shortages of fresh fruit, meat and vegetables in Kununurra
- Wild weather and flooding is forecast to continue in the region over the coming days
There's only one sealed highway in and out of the outback region and it's been closed at Fitzroy Crossing since early January after the Fitzroy River bridge was severely damaged by flooding.
Now the Victoria Highway is closed at Bulla, stopping essential goods being freighted in from the Northern Territory without special permission, leaving road access to the East Kimberley cut off.
Kununurra Tuckerbox IGA general manager Chris Burke said grocery trucks had resupplied the supermarket in recent days.
But he said the town's only other supermarket, Coles, had almost no fresh meat and few vegetables, which meant demand had spiked at his store.
"We've virtually increased our order by 250 per cent. What we'd normally sell in a week we'd sell in a day. As soon as we put it out we can't keep up with it," he said.
"If everyone is prepared to take their own, we can get through. But if there's going to be panic buying there will be issues."
Food shortages in wet season occur from time to time in Kununurra due to road closures, but in the past month the issue has become a major headache in the town, as work continues to reopen the Great Northern Highway at Fitzroy Crossing.
A Coles spokesperson said the NT Government had given permission for two semi-trailer trucks hauling groceries to enter Kununurra via the Victoria Highway and they were expected to arrive late Tuesday evening.
Residents warned to stay safe in wild weather
Meanwhile, authorities are warning residents throughout the region to exercise caution as river levels continue to rise and fall.
A severe weather warning was in place for Wyndham and northernmost WA community Kalumburu but authorities said the main threat of damaging winds and flash flooding had passed.
More than 190 millimetres of rain has fallen in Kalumburu since yesterday morning and Coconut Lodge caretaker Frank Skeen said the water came close to the accommodation's infrastructure.
"The river has risen and the water is up to the front of our gate," he said.
"Out of nowhere it started to bucket down."
Residents living in the Ord River catchment, in places including Kununurra, Warmun and Wyndham, have been warned to expect minor flooding over the coming days.
Authorities have also urged residents on expeditions to see waterfalls to take care, after five people were rescued near Kununurra yesterday morning.