Cyclone Carlos to reform over flooded WA

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/19/3143360.htm


Cyclone Carlos to reform over flooded WA

Updated 6 hours 50 minutes ago


Authorities in the flood-affected Western Australian town of Carnarvon are preparing for a new threat with ex-tropical Cyclone Carlos expected to reform over the state.

Floodwaters on the outskirts of Carnarvon have started to recede after reaching a peak of about seven metres on Saturday morning, but there have been no reports of major damage.

It is the third time in two months the town has been affected by flooding.

Carlos is currently located in the northern parts of the Kimberely region, and moving in a south-westerly direction, but it is expected to head out to sea and strengthen.

State Emergency Service spokesman Michael Stroet says Carlos could make its way south to the Gascoyne coast as a cyclone by Wednesday.

"We haven't had a strong cyclone through here in quite a while so it will be interesting to see what damage it would do," he said.

"There's quite a few buildings that have a fair bit of damage in them so it could be quite horrific."

He says people need to be prepared for the possibility of more flooding.

"We're just starting to contact all our station owners in outlying areas in the Gascoyne Junction to start preparing for about four weeks' supply of fuel, food, water and medications," he said.

"So if there is anyone out there who does need help with that, they could give us a ring at the unit so we can start preparing our air flights."

Carnarvon Shire president Dudley Maslen says the weather system is a worry.

"The Bureau of Meteorology has some concern about its future effect on the Pilbara and Gascoyne coast this time next week," he said.

The flooding outside Canarvon has caused some damage to low-lying areas, affecting plantations and service stations.

Roads and bridges around the area have been cut off and local service stations have been inundated with water.

But Department of Water spokesman Adam Maskew says the impact has not been as devastating as the December floods.

"There has been some inundation of some shops and some of the plantation areas, but the extent of the damage will be assessed over the morning after the water recedes," he said. Tweet