About 1500 people are without drinking water at Kununurra’s Lakeside subdivision due to flood damage.
DFES says the service should be restored later today, and urges people in Wyndham and Kununurra to continue to take action for moderate flooding.
You can read the latest alert here:
*Please note water update information, what SES/VES volunteers are doing.
The following alert has been issued by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).
Time of issue: 10.00am
Date of issue: 8 Februay 2014
Continue to Take action now for moderate flooding in Kununurra and Wyndham in the Kimberley
People in Kununurra and Wyndham and surrounding communities need to continue to take action as moderate flooding is expected during Saturday.
WHAT TO DO:
The DFES State Emergency Service (SES) and Volunteer Emergency Service (VES) advises you to:
Watch for changes in water levels so you are ready if you need to relocate.
Ensure your relocation kit, including your emergency kit is complete.
Relocate equipment and livestock so they do not get caught in floodwaters.
Prepare pet food or stockfeed in case you cannot return home for a few days.
Never walk, swim or play in floodwaters as they are dangerous.
Do not go near storm drains and pipes, ditches and ravines, as they are dangerous.
With water moving quickly people need to stay out of the all local rivers and streams, this includes no swimming or kayaking.
If you are a traveller do not park or camp adjacent to rivers.
IF DRIVING:
Floodways and river levels may rise rapidly so be careful at crossings.
Obey road closure signs and do not drive into water of unknown depth and current.
Take care on gravel and unsealed roads as they may be slippery and muddy, and you could get bogged.
If your car stalls in rising water, abandon it immediately and seek shelter above floodwater.
RELOCATION POINT/S:
The Department for Child Protection and Family Suport has set up a relocation point at Kununurra Leisure Centre, 115 Coolibah Drive, Kununurra.
Be aware that only essential items can be taken into welfare centres alcohol and pets, except guide and assistance dogs, are prohibited.
People attending this relocation point will need to provide their own bedding.
ROAD CLOSURES:
A number of roads are close including:
Great Northern Highway remains closed from Warmun to Wyndham
Victoria Highway remains closed from the Great Northen Highway turnoff to Kununurra
Victoria Highway to the Northern Territory border remains closed (1kilometre east of Kununurra)
WATER UPDATE:
Water Corporation is advising its customers in the Lakeside area of Kununurra that flooding caused by extensive rainfall has caused damage to the water supply.
Approx 1500 customers living in the Lakeside area will be without drinking water supplies until the Water Corporation can repair the damage.
Early indications are that water will be restored by late afternoon today. The issue was detected yesterday evening and crews were on site until 10.00pm to determine the extent of the damage.
Crews were back on site to resume their inspections at first light this morning. It was unsafe for them to continue last night due to poor visibility.
Water Corporation will have a limited supply of bottled water available to Lakeside residents from its office/depot on Bandicoot Drive.
Some Lakeside residents may have intermittent water supplies and they are encouraged to ensure reticulation is switched off and not use dishwashers or washing machines in an effort to conserve supplies.
Water Corporation assures customers that it will do everything it can to restore water supplies as quickly as possible.
FLOOD DETAILS:
As at at 7:23 am on Saturday 8 February 2014 the Beauru of Meterology advise that very heavy rainfall recorded during Thursday and Friday has caused major flooding at Cockburn North on the King River.
At 7.00am the river level was at about at the major flood level of 3 metres. Moderate to major flooding will continue in this area during Saturday.
Moderate flooding will continuing in the Ord River at Tarrara Bar during this morning, Saturday.
Heavy rainfall up to 301mm has been recorded for the past 22 hours to 7.00am today in the lower Ord River catchment at Kununurra.
Current river levels are available from Department of Water at www.water.wa.gov.au.
WHAT SES/VES VOLUNTEERS ARE DOING:
SES/VES volunteers from Kununurra have received more than thirty four calls for help since the flooding started.
SES volunteers from Broome have been mobilised and are helping people respond and prepare for flooding by sandbagging and helping people to relocate.
A community from Emu Creek has been relocated to Kununurra.
Incident management teams are have been established to help people that are being impacted by flooding.
DFES is working closely with WA Police, Horizon Power, Main Roads, Local Government, Department of Health, Water Corporation, Department of Education, Department of Child Protection and Telstra to minimise the impact on the community.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS:
For SES assistance call 132 500.
In a life threatening situation call 000.
For the latest flood information call 1300 659 213 or visit www.bom.gov.au/wa/flood.
For information about road conditions and closures contact the local shire or Main Roads WA on 138 138.
KEEP UP TO DATE:
Call 1300 657 209, visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au, follow DFES on Twitter @dfes_wa or listen to news bulletins.
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