‘They’ve been texting us for food’: remote communities left ‘abandoned’ in Kimberley flood response

Fitzroy Crossing locals say poor communication, language barriers and a lack of local support has left the community fending for itself

Towns and communities hit by devastating flood waters in the Kimberley say they have been left to fend for themselves and have criticised communication strategies that do not account for language barriers.

Jasmine Bedford was born and raised in the Western Australian town of Fitzroy Crossing, which is at the centre of a one-in-100-year flood. She said the response from authorities has been “appalling” and tensions were building, as some people have “lost everything”.