Between late December 2017 and mid-February 2018, the Shire of Broome in Western Australia was impacted by three tropical cyclones and a tropical low. These events brought strong winds and torrential rain to Broome and other parts of the state’s north-west. The event represents an opportunity to share learnings with other disaster-prone communities.

Broome’s dry season spans April to November, with most days clear and maximum temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius. The wet season spans December to March, with maximum temperatures of around 35 degrees Celsius, irregular tropical downpours and high humidity. Broome’s annual average rainfall is 615 millimetres, 75 per cent of which falls between January and March.

Tropical cyclone Hilda started as a tropical low on 26 December. The system reached cyclone strength near Broome in the late afternoon of the following day; it briefly reached Category 2 strength before making landfall 90 kilometres south-west of Broome. Hilda weakened to a tropical low by 2.00pm on 28 December before tracking into Central Australia.

Minor vegetation damage and fallen trees were reported in Broome, with heavy rainfall along the track of the cyclone causing localised flooding. The rain caused disruption to roads across the western Kimberley, eastern Pilbara, and the Interior district. Hilda was deemed eligible for disaster relief funding on 16 January, under the Western Australia Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (WANDRRA).