Disaster recovery assistance has been made available to flood-affected communities in WA's Mid West after heavy rainfall damaged road networks critical to the region's economy.
A cloud band developed over WA's northwest between May 21-24, causing heavy rainfall and flooding that significantly damaged unsealed roads within the Shire of Wiluna.
The Bureau of Meteorology recorded 58mm at Carnegie and 50mm at Barwidgee over a 24-hour period.
Several roads were closed, affecting vehicle access for local communities and mining and pastoral operations.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Senator the Hon Murray Watt, said the Shire of Wiluna needed to make emergency repairs to road networks to limit the immediate impact on the local community.
"Financial assistance, through the DRFA, is now available to assist the shire with the clean-up operations and restoring damaged roads," he said.
"Key operators situated within the Shire of Wiluna play a significant role in driving the Australian economy so it is important we help with the cost of repairs to the roads that these operations rely on."
Western Australian Minister for Emergency Services, the Hon Stephen Dawson, said the Shire of Wiluna provided emergency accommodation to travellers who became stranded.
"WA Police and the Shire of Wiluna also responded to vehicles that became stranded due to the road conditions," he said.
"Weather events like this can have a flow-on effect to sectors like local tourism, so we will continue to work with the Commonwealth to make sure impacted roads are restored as quickly as possible."
The Shire of Wiluna will receive assistance through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), which ensures local governments are financially supported in their recovery journey.
