Popular beach resorts in Western Australia's Kimberley region have sustained serious structural damage following the passage of ex-Tropical Cyclone Luana, with authorities now coordinating a substantial community clean-up operation across affected areas.
Storm Impact and Damage Assessment
The Category Two cyclone made landfall on the Dampier Peninsula at approximately 2pm Saturday afternoon, bringing destructive winds and heavy rainfall before weakening to a tropical low south of Derby on Sunday morning. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services confirmed the system continued to weaken as it moved inland at about 7 kilometres per hour, though significant damage had already occurred.
Among the most severely impacted properties was the Mercedes Cove Exclusive Coastal Retreat, located approximately 180 kilometres north of Broome. Shocking photographs circulated on social media platforms revealed extensive structural damage, including sections of roofing completely collapsed with insulation and debris scattered throughout the interior spaces.
Community Response and Recovery Efforts
DFES Kimberley Superintendent Leon Gardiner acknowledged awareness of the resort's structural damage but noted that emergency support had not been formally requested at that time. The superintendent confirmed that cyclone damage appeared primarily concentrated around Derby, where emergency services received twelve separate call-outs for fallen trees either blocking access routes or leaning dangerously against residential properties.
"Derby and Broome State Emergency Service volunteers are actively responding to these requests and working to make the area safe," Superintendent Gardiner stated on Sunday. "This includes clearing vegetation and removing fallen trees that pose immediate hazards to community members."
Prisoner Assistance Program ActivatedIn a notable development, thirteen minimum security prisoners from West Kimberley Regional Prison joined SES officers in the clean-up efforts under the Section 95 program. Superintendent Gardiner expressed gratitude for this collaborative approach, noting that "this support from the Department of Justice is helping us fast-track our progress to make the area safe for the community."
Weather Warnings Continue
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued ongoing warnings for heavy rainfall and damaging wind gusts reaching up to 90 kilometres per hour across the North Interior region. Meteorologists anticipate that heavy rainfall potentially leading to flash flooding will likely affect southern parts of the Kimberley and the North Interior later during Monday.
"Heavy rainfall is expected to clear the Kimberley during the day on Monday, and extend to the South Interior later from Monday evening, and to northern Eucla on Tuesday," a Bureau spokesperson advised. "Six-hourly totals between 70 and 120 millimetres are considered likely in the most affected zones."
Historical Context and Future Concerns
This weather event marks the third cyclone to impact the Kimberley coastline since November, following Cyclone Hayley which affected the Dampier Peninsula just weeks earlier. The remnant tropical low continues moving south over inland Western Australia, with forecasts indicating several days of movement through the Kimberley, Pilbara and southern interior regions.
Superintendent Gardiner emphasized the community's resilience, thanking residents for "playing their part to prepare and look out for each other" during the severe weather event. The Mercedes Cove management expressed profound disappointment on social media, noting that the damaged property held "so many precious memories" for both family members and guests who had visited over many years.
As clean-up operations continue across the Kimberley region, authorities remain vigilant regarding potential flooding risks associated with the system's southward movement. The community now faces the challenging task of recovery while preparing for additional rainfall that could further complicate restoration efforts in the coming days.
