Food, water on the way to WA flood victims

Authorities are preparing to drop food and water early on Monday to people stranded by the worst flooding in 50 years around the Western Australian town of Carnarvon.

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Authorities are preparing to drop food and water early on Monday to people stranded by the worst flooding in 50 years around the Western Australian town of Carnarvon.

Carnarvon, about 900km north of Perth and at the mouth of the Gascoyne River, is gripped by its worst flood since 1960.

Residents were warned on Saturday to evacuate as heavy rain pounded the region overnight.

An evacuation point was set up at the Carnarvon Civic Centre, where at least 80 people stayed overnight.

A Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) spokesman said the river was expected to peak early on Monday.

The river level had risen to 7.7 metres at Nine Mile Bridge by 9pm (WST) on Sunday and was expected to rise slowly ahead of the peak of 7.8 to 7.9 metres.

Two consignments of food and water were expected to leave Geraldton at first light on Monday, while emergency workers in Carnarvon would audit food and water needs for people isolated in the town and in outlying areas.

"We're expecting the levee banks to hold and that Carnarvon won't be flooded as such," the spokesman said.

On Sunday, 30 people stuck on rooftops at Gascoyne Junction, about 170km inland from Carnarvon, and six more at Meka station, were flown by helicopter to Carnarvon.

Most were housed overnight at the civic centre.

Isolated showers are expected in the Gascoyne region on Monday.



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Source: AAP


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