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The
crisis in the Kimberley - an area almost three times the size of
the United Kingdom - was sparked this week by severe weather
system Ellie, a former tropical cyclone that brought heavy rain
to the vast region.
Among the worst-hit locations was Fitzroy Crossing, a town of
around 1,300 people where supplies were being airlifted in due
to the flooding, which authorities have said is the state's
worst on record.
Albanese said his Labor government was "working constructively"
with the Western Australia government on the crisis in the
sparsely populated region that also includes the resort town of
Broome.
"These floods are having a devastating impact, many of these
communities ... are communities that do it tough, and the
resources simply aren't there on the ground," Albanese told
reporters in the city of Geelong, in Victoria state.
"My government stands ready to provide whatever support is
requested."
Western Australia emergency authorities said Australian Defence
Force aircraft were being used to assist flood-hit communities,
and Chinook helicopters were en-route to help relocated impacted
residents.
The nation's weather forecaster said severe weather was no
longer occurring in the state but that "the situation will
continue to be monitored and further warnings will be issued if
necessary".
The emergency in the country's far northwest comes after
frequent flooding in Australia's east over the last two years
due to a multi-year La Nina weather event, typically associated
with increased rainfall. Some regions have endured four major
flood crises since last year.
(Reporting by Sam McKeith in Sydney; Editing by William Mallard)
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