In a life threatening emergency, call emergency services first on 000.
Support services
Local Flood Help Centres
Derby Flood Hub
Department of Communities Housing Building, 16 – 22 Loch Street
Open Monday to Friday 10:00am – 2:00pm
Broome Flood Help
Call 0476 897 424 if you’re in Broome and need help.
Fitzroy Crossing Flood Hub
Fitzroy Crossing Visitor Centre, 5 Flynn Drive
Monday to Thursday 8:00am – 12:00pm
Fitzroy Crossing Information Centre
Tarunda Shopping Centre, 21 Forrest Road
Open from Monday to Friday 10:00am – 2:00pm
Local support services
Derby: see our Derby support services page.
Broome: see our Broome support services page.
Fitzroy Crossing: see our Fitzroy Crossing support services page.
Disaster Response Hotline
The Disaster Response Hotline (1800 032 965) operates Monday to Friday, 9am – 4pm and provides a referral point for impacted community members requiring support and information.
Support hotlines
Support hotlines are available for mental health assistance: Fitzroy Crossing (9166 1700) and Derby (9193 3605). For after-hours support, call Rurallink on 1800 552 002.
Financial support
The one-off Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment is now available to people who’ve suffered significant loss as a result of the severe weather and flooding. Eligible people can claim these payments online through myGov, or by calling 180 22 66, Monday to Friday, 8am – 5pm. Check your eligibility.
The Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) 2023 Emergency Response Grants Program has been established as an emergency response grant for any Indigenous corporation whose property has been directly affected by floods. A grant of up to $20,000 will be available to assist Indigenous corporations to immediately secure and clean up damaged properties. You can call 1800 818 490, email FloodResponse@ilsc.gov.au or check your eligibility online.
Accommodation and travel support
If you require accommodation or travel support, please contact the Disaster Response Hotline on 1800 032 965. Alternative options for travel support include emailing your personal details, pick up and drop off location and emergency contact to Kimberley.Welfare@communities.wa.gov.au or by visiting the Broome Civic Centre.
Flood damage
Safety first
If you are returning to your house after a flood, check the area for fallen powerlines and any hazards. Do not enter the house if it looks like unsafe or damaged, such as sagging or leaning walls, or a sagging ceiling or roof.
If you think the house is unsafe, immediately call Housing Direct on 1300 137 677.
If you need emergency accommodation, call the Department of Communities Disaster Relief Hotline on 1800 032 965.
Flood damaged items
If your house has been flooded, you may need to dispose of things that are water-damaged, such as furniture, carpet, bedding and appliances.
Please store these outside your house in your yard until we can arrange for collection and disposal. Do not take these things to your local landfill as it will fill the tip too quickly.
Evacuation
If you are evacuated or chose to leave your house, turn off the water and power if it is safe to do so. This will help reduce faults while you are away and improve safety when you return.
For electricity, turn off the mains switch that is near the meter. Water to your home can be turned off completely via the stopcock located at the water meter or around the boundary of your yard. If you can’t find the stopcock, turn off all taps in the house and yard, including the tap that fills the toilet cistern.
Only turn off the power and water if it is safe to do so.
Rent relief
Visit the West Kimberley Floods Rent Relief - Impacted Aboriginal Communities page.
Electrical inspection calendar
If you have a tenancy with the Department of Communities, we’ll be checking the electrical supply to your home and making it safe. If there has been damage to buildings in your community, we will talk to you about what happens next at your Community Gathering. View the Electrical Inspection Calendar.
How to deal with mould following a flood
Information on dealing with mould can be found on our 'how to deal with mould following a flood' page.
Housing works program
If you have a tenancy with the Department of Communities, your home will be assessed to find out what repairs are needed and how long it will take. Whether your home needs minor or major repairs, or even if it can’t be fixed we will help you each step of the way.
The Housing Mob will be in Broome, Derby, and Fitzroy Crossing on the following dates to talk about homes needing to be refurbished or rebuilt.
Community meetings
If you want more information about when you're getting back home, come for a yarn and a feed. The Department of Communities will be around to talk to you about your journey home. Visit our Community meetings page for more information.
